FC Halifax Town: “It’s another good test for us and one that excites us” says Wild ahead of King’s Lynn clash

Town boss Pete Wild expects King’s Lynn to make things very difficult for his side during Saturday’s National League clash.
Pete Wild. Photo: Marcus BranstonPete Wild. Photo: Marcus Branston
Pete Wild. Photo: Marcus Branston

King’s Lynn are 20th in the National League having won four of their first 13 league games, but haven’t played since December 22 due to a Covid outbreak among the squad.

“They’ve had an excellent couple of years to get to this level, they’ve been brilliant to watch, they’ve made some interesting signings,” said Wild.

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“They’ve got some really good players and they play some really good football.
“You know teams are going to find it difficult when they go there, look at Torquay, they went there the other week and drew 0-0, so they’re going to make it difficult for us with and without the ball.

“But it’s another good test for us and one that excites us.”

On his own team, who have won six of their last eight matches, Wild said: “We have been doing well but you don’t want to get complacent.

“The players have been excellent in training, they look like they’ve got the bit between their teeth.

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“So hopefully that’ll continue and whoever I decide to pick on Saturday will do that justice.”

On the departure of Gevaro Nepomuceno, Wild said: “We just felt that we couldn’t play Gevaro in his best position due to the system we were playing and he wasn’t getting those opportunities, so it was just best to shake hands and wish him all the best.

“He’s a top player and he’ll be a top player for another club that plays the way Gevaro needs to play.”

And on Nyal Bell, who was recalled by parent club Stockport, Wild said: “It came out of the blue on Monday afternoon but Bell’s Stockport’s player and they’re ravished with injuries so there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“Not ideal timing for me, but it is what it is.“

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The futures of Neil Danns and Billy Chadwick are still to be decided.

Wild said he was due to sit down this week with Danns, whose short-term deal expires next week, while any extension of Chadwick’s loan, which is up after next Saturday’s FA Trophy clash with Southport, may depend on what business his parent club Hull do in the January transfer window.

“We’ve been speaking to Hull but obviously it’s January so they’re trying to do deals in and out and they’re considering all their options,” said Wild.

“We’ve agreed to discuss it again next week.”

Wild said there was no way last Saturday’s clash with Hartlepool, which has now been rearranged for Tuesday, could have gone ahead.

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“We were ready to play,” he said. “Contrary to the reports from Hartlepool, if the pitch is bone hard, the pitch is bone hard, there’s nothing we can do about that.
“Unfortunately the weather took its toll.”

Wild says Jake Hyde is progressing well with his recovery from a hamstring injury.

“He’s moving on. If you speak to him, he wants to be back tomorrow, but if you speak to our physio, he’s a bit more cautious,” said the Town boss.

“He’s chomping at the bit but we’re looking at probably the last week in January to have him back amongst the group.”

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Defender Jay Benn is still a couple of weeks away from fitness with a quad injury, while captain Nathan Clarke has been told he can begin bike sessions in his recovery from an eye injury.

Follow all the action from Saturday’s game as it happens with Town writer Tom Scargill on his live blog at www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/football/halifax-town.