Manager says squad is full of enthusiasm

YOU will rarely find Town manager Danny Cowley with a frown on his face.

The 41-year-old former teacher has had a remarkable career climbing through the tiers of English football and has had an equally incredible first season at Championship level.

He could never have envisaged some of the hurdles which have been thrown in his path at the John Smith’s Stadium, but the boss has never been anything other that positive and confident.

The mere interference of a global pandemic has done nothing to alter that demeanour.

So as Town prepare to resume second-tier action with a crunch clash against fellow relegation rivals Wigan Athletic at the John Smith’s Stadium, it’s no surprise Cowley is seeking to inspire his troops with a big target to aim for.

“We have a squad full of energy and enthusiasm,” said the boss – who confirmed his loan and permanent players are all committed to seeing out the campaign.

“Coming in after the season had started, we missed that crucial time in pre-season with the group on the grass, so this has been invaluable to have this time to work with the players.

“It’s been great to have a lot of younger ones around and the team, collectively, has been great.

“We feel we are going into the Wigan game this time around in a much better place than maybe we would have done at the beginning of March. Physically we are fit and strong and we have been able to do some good work on the game model.

“So we feel we are in a good place as a group.

“Now, the aim is to get reward for our hard work.

“Wigan was a big game in March and now it’s a big game in June.

“But it is one we are looking forward to.

“We’ve got nine games now and we actually see it as a mini-season for us.

“So it’s nine games and we want to finish towards the top of the division in those nine games.

“We are going to tackle it with a really positive mindset, with an aggressive mentality and we are really looking forward to what is an important game in our season.”