Stockdale: A shock week, but we’re all focused

He said: “Yes, I don’t think you ever prepare for things like that. It’s not nice. The dust has settled and the good thing is that you are back into training, and that takes your mind off it.

“It’s disappointing any time that kind of thing happens. Really all we can do is use the game on Sunday as a new focus.

“It’s a brilliant game – if I could choose a game, it would be this one. There’s no way that we won’t be ready for it.

“Tuesday night was a bit of a shock. We came in Wednesday and let it ride a little bit, then Thursday was their pre-planned day off, then (yesterday) we spoke to the players and there was a determination from them to put things right.”

While Stockdale (pictured) would not be drawn on whether he hopes to be considered as Grayson’s replacement, he admitted that he does hope to pursue a career in management eventually. The ex-Scotland cap said: “I think every coach would eventually like that shot, yes. “Setting out on my career, I started out quite early because of injury, I started out at Grimsby as an Academy manager. It was the best grounding I could ever have had – very limited facilities, limited staff. You end up jack of all trades, groundsman, kit man, working with every age group from the Under-9s.

“If you’d asked me about my ambition then it would be different to what it is now. I’m very fortunate – my role has changed under every manager.

“Some are very hands on, some delegate, which is fine.

“The ex-Boro defender has seen a period of dramatic change since his arrival at the club in 2012, and believes that, despite the current struggles, whoever does succeed Grayson will have plenty of positives to inherit.

He said: “The relegation was such a disappointment.

“I didn’t expect to see a hangover and the first few games suggested that there wasn’t – we started fairly well.

“What I would say is that I think we’ve got good quality in the dressing room, good characters, some young players that play without fear.

“There’s plenty of positives still at this football club.”