FC Halifax Town: “We’re going to do this run-in our way” says Shaymen boss Wild

Town go into the game on the back of a disappointing home defeat to Boreham Wood, leaving their play-off hopes in a precarious position.

The Shaymen are only in the top seven on goal difference, but Wrexham can overtake them if they win their game in hand.

Dagenham have won six of their last seven matches and realistically need to win to retain any hopes of a play-off place.

“First and foremost, all of us are really looking forward to the game, I wish the game was tomorrow, I’m dead excited about it,” Wild said.

“Tuesday morning was the first time in three months I’ve had a Tuesday session, and had the chance to do some tactical work on what we’re about, because we’ve just been reacting to games.

“So what’s great this week is we’ll have had the time to get back to our style of play, address stuff that maybe we’ve not had time to address over the last three months, and I came away really excited about the weekend, and I wish the game was tomorrow.”

Wild says Dagenham’s excellent form is not a huge factor going into the game.

“I don’t think it matters, I think you saw that on Saturday. Boreham Wood had nothing to play for but I thought they gave an excellent display, and I’m sure Daryl (McMahon, Dagenham manager) will have his players ready to do the same,” Wild said.

“I think they’re on a good run because they’re a good side and the league’s awash with top sides and we just have to do what we do.”

When asked what he wants to see from his side on Saturday, Wild said: “I want to see Halifax back, I want to see us. I said to the players this week ‘we’re going to do this run-in our way and we’re going to play the way we play’.

“If teams try to stop us, like they (Boreham Wood)  did on Saturday, stop us from being us, then we have to be better, find a better way of being us.

“So we’re going to do it our way. Against Boreham Wood on Saturday, we didn’t do that, and that was the most frustrating thing, we weren’t us, and we’ve got to get back to being us.

“It’s everything we’ve been all season, free-flowing football, moving the ball through the thirds, looking to hurt teams with our quick play, and when we get in the final third, being ruthless.

“Out of possession, being solid, compact, tough to break down, everything we were against Stockport and Yeovil, we were excellent in both those games.

“We just didn’t show that on Saturday, which unfortunately in football, happens.

“Over the last couple of days, with the staff, it’s been a great time to reset, reflect and get the key messages across.”

Wild added: “To be challenging with three games to go has taken a massive effort, and I don’t think people should deter from the fact of how well the team has done this season.

“But we want to go and finish the job off, you don’t work ten-and-a-half months, especially this season, which has been more gruelling than ever, to not have something tangible at the end of it.

“We all know what we need to do and we’re all desperate and trying as hard as we can to make sure that happens.

“It will be what it will be, we’ve had a great season so far and we’re desperate to finish it off. We’ll take each game as it comes and try our best in every game, and see what happens.”

The Town boss is remaining focused on his team’s last three matches, and isn’t thinking about the play-off picture.

“With the greatest respect, I couldn’t care less,” he said.

“The play-offs will be what they are. If we get there, fantastic, if we don’t, we don’t.”All I’m bothered about is, in the last three games, us playing the way that we play. Everything else will take care of itself.

“If we don’t play they way we play, we won’t be in the play-offs. If we do, we have a chance.

“But in terms of who’s going to be in it, how tight is it, I couldn’t care less.”

Midfielder Jack Earing is a doubt after going off injured against Boreham Wood, while Danny Williams is suspended for all Town’s last three league games after receiving his third red card of the season against Boreham Wood.

Huddersfield loanee Micah Obiero remains unavailable through injury, but defender Tom Bradbury is back in contention after missing last Saturday’s game through injury.

Follow all the action from the Dagenham and Redbridge v FC Halifax Town game on Saturday with our live blog at https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/football/halifax-town.