Glenn: We Must Keep Going

Glenn Roeder admits that he did not make a big deal about winning March's Manager of the Month award - to the extent that not all of his players even knew about it!

Glenn is preferring to concentrate on the task ahead rather than the achievements of recent weeks, and he says: "I don't think there was any need to make a fuss, none whatsoever.

"The award has been gratefully accepted It has been a very difficult season and April is the most important month of the season for us now.

"I accepted it on behalf of everybody - the team, the medical staff, the backroom staff, everybody - because, though I am the leader of that team, the award was achieved between all of us.

"But we have been there since early September, the start of the season, and the players know in the next month they can do something about that and, come the middle of May, get out of the bottom three.

"That is our goal and what I have seen in the past five weeks gives me even more belief that we can achieve that goal, because of the resolve and the determination and courage the players have shown."

He is delighted with the performances of his skipper Joe Cole and adds: "He has got belief in himself and confidence in his own ability. He knows the job and is very experienced for someone so young.

"He has taken the responsibility of skipper on his shoulders and has carried it off very well. Now we need six very good performances from everybody and that obviously includes Joe Cole."

As for selection problems ahead of Aston Villa, Glenn adds: "I want all the players fit. That is not a problem at all as far as I am concerned - you just have to get your decisions right on team selection and it goes well for the team on the day.

"The players are all looking forward to getting out on Upton Park on Saturday afternoon and that is the next three points we can try and achieve."

Glenn hopes the side can retain the momentum of the last five games and adds: "Since we had the win at West Brom the players have dug so, so deep to get these five results.

"I don't think people realise how good the draws at Everton and Southampton really are. Everton beat Newcastle on their own patch in their next home game after us so the 0-0 was an excellent point.

"So it was with the point at Southampton, especially as we had to come from a goal behind. The resolve that the players found in the second half was nothing short of terrific." Meanwhile, Glenn insists there is nothing in stories claiming he has been told to cut the wage bill by 30% this summer.

"I don't know where they came from," he says, "but it is far too early to talk about players for next season.

"We will evaluate the situation at the end of the season but I am under no pressure in that regard, and I haven't even spoken to anyone about it.

"Whatever people may think, this is a well-run club."

* Tickets will go on sale on Saturday at Brigg Town's ground for their FA Vase final clash with AFC Sudbury, to be staged at Upton Park on Saturday, May 10th.