Gary Roberts spoke to 1866+ on Monday afternoon ahead of the Spireites’ Vertu Trophy fixture against Liverpool U21 on Tuesday evening, and he began by reflecting on Saturday’s draw with Accrington Stanley.
He said: “We’ve gone back through it since we’ve been back in the door and we’re giving too many teams the leg up at the start of games.
“We’re giving ourselves a mountain to climb to win and we can’t be doing that if we want to be up there. There’s a tad bit of disappointment, but it’s been put to bed. There’s been individuals meetings, unit meetings and the boys have all trained today and we’re concentrating on tomorrow.”
Discussing the preparations for the game, he added: “Most of the preparation will be done in the video room now. It’s still the second day of recovery for the lads who played and matchday minus one for the team who are going to play tomorrow.
“Liverpool have got a lot of players to choose from. Whatever team they go with, there is some really bright talent. There are a couple of them who have been in and around the first team already, so they’ll be bright, energetic, sharp and are going to have bags of quality.”
With Bailey Hobson being recalled from his loan at Brackley Town, Roberts said: “It didn’t go as planned for Bailey, he didn’t have enough minutes. In the games that he did play, they won.
“Unsuccessful for Bailey in a way, but he’s such an infectious player to have back in and around us. He’s a really good kid, works his socks off every day. He comes in here and gives everything.
“He might be involved in our squad tomorrow.”
Tickets for the game are available here.
