"There's definitely a lot more to come" - Winger Wright on Oldham, the season so far and what Town can achieve

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Max Wright says there's a lot more to come from The Shaymen if they can start building some momentum.

Town have won three of their last five league games but their 4-2 FA Cup defeat at Oldham on Saturday made it nine goals conceded in their last five matches, while performances have been mixed.

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"I think we've got a bit of improving to do, a bit of gelling and clicking together," Wright said.

"But not too bad, we're sat one point outside of the play-offs.

Max WrightMax Wright
Max Wright

"As a team, we've got a little bit of work to do but let's not forget, that's a pretty good start.

"I think we're conceding more goals than last year.

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"We're playing attacking football and creating chances but we're maybe not as fluid and we're turning the ball over a little bit.

"We could just do with being a bit tidier on the ball and a bit more creativity from everyone.

"There's definitely a lot more to come but we need a bit of luck, football for me is all about luck.

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"We certainly had zero luck last Saturday, so I think a bit of luck and a few wins, we could look like a completely different team.

"There is more to come but the top of the league would say that, but a bit of momentum and then you're on your way.

"We had it last year where we had some poor results and then won about four or five in a row.

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"We're doing a good job so far, a point outside the play-offs, but there's a bit more to come."

Wright admits Town's FA Cup exit at Oldham last weekend was "a huge disappointment".

"As much as the cup isn't top priority, it's still incredibly high up on the list and all the lads would have wanted to do well and give the fans a cup run," he said.

"But again, luck wasn't on our side.

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"We performed poorly, but we've done that in the league at times too but haven't been treated so unfortunately with bad luck like Saturday.

"A mistake from the goalie, which happens once a season, a deflection, another deflection that drops straight to the kid's feet on the six yard box.

"Yeah, we were poor, of course we were poor, but we still scored two goals and we still played some good football at times.

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"We made mistakes and gave the ball away too, but there was certainly effort there, you can't say we didn't run or throw ourselves into tackles.

"It was really disappointing but we were short of luck and it was a bit of a bad performance, that's literally all that was."

Wright is the third oldest player in the Town squad, despite being aged only 26.

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When asked if he sees part of his role, in what is the youngest squad in the league, to gee up some of his team-mates after Saturday's loss, he said: "It is down to us (senior players), but as a group, we've actually got quite a lot of sensible young men in the team.

"We chat between ourselves, we text, we face time, we chat at the training ground, on the bus on the way home.

"We know that Saturday wasn't our best game, we were incredibly unfortunate with some of the things that happened.

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"But let's not kid ourselves or be silly, we're sat a point outside the play-offs, which is excellent.

"Let's not get too down, let's keep positive.

"It's important for me, Johnno (Sam Johnson), Will Smith, Seens (Adam Senior), whoever, to remind people of that, but because we're quite a sensible group, I think the lads know that it's not all doom and gloom.

"Yes, the cup is something you want to do really well in and we've been knocked out.

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"But we move on, we go onto the next thing and that is back to the league again, learning from mistakes and getting our chemistry right and getting some momentum."

Town lost experienced players Luke Summerfield and Jordan Keane in the summer, but Wright says it's too early to say whether their absence will be felt this season.

"I don't think you can tell after 13 league games," he said.

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"I didn't think some lads were as good as they were until after Christmas last season and then they really kicked on, like Kane (Thompson-Sommers), after Christmas he was my favourite player.

"So I don't want to judge it just yet.

"We've had some good recruits - Adetoro's been good, Will Smith's been good, Billy (Waters) has been a great signing.

"Of course we miss some players but you could have said that about the year before when Matty Warburton or Harvey Gilmour, or whoever else, left.

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"Time will tell. Ask me in 20 more games time and we'll see who might drastically improve.

"It's the same with me, I was'nt really starting the first-half of last season, and it wasn't until after Christmas that I really kicked on and hit my stride and had a great end to the season.

"We miss the lads that aren't here but we've recruited well, but they still need to get into their stride."

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Town have yet to hit their stride this season, but Wright is unequivocal when asked what he feels they can can achieve as a team.

"Number one is the play-offs," he said.

"We'd love to win the league but let's not forget who we are, what facilities we've got, the fact we've got the youngest squad and probably one of the lowest paid.

"That's all fine.

"Play-offs are the first thing. If we make the play-offs, then it has to be promotion.

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"Cup runs are important but other than getting the club money, it's not taking us to where we want to be.

"Obviously there's still the FA Trophy, and we'd love to get to Wembley, which would be the first time for some of the lads and a great occasion.

"But there's nothing sweeter in football than a promotion.

"We'll take it day-to-day, see where we're at.

"As a club and a group, the target will be play-offs, but also as players, it'll be player and character development and improving.

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"I've learned to manage myself and be a lot better with my body these days, whereas some lads will be looking at getting stronger or fitter or more physcially ready for the level."

On his own season so far, the winger said: "I've played nine games, which isn't bad.

"It's hard to get into this team and injuries can be an issue.

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"Not a poor start from me, I've had some good performances, but it was really frustrating missing the first five.

"But it's only 15 games gone, we've probably got another 35 left so optimism, a bit of luck and hopefully the rehabilitation in certain areas keeps working."

This is Wright's third season at The Shay, having initially joined on loan during the 2022-23 campaign, making him one of the longest serving players at the club.

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"I am enjoying it, I enjoyed it last year too, especially towards the end of the season," he said.

"But yeah, I'm enjoying it a lot.

"The lads are always good lads, we have a good craic, we've got a good group, good togetherness.

"The staff are excellent. We could probably do with more staff, but they're excellent for what they have to deal with day-to-day.

"We have a nice pitch at the moment, which is important.

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"So that might not sound like a lot but that all goes a long way.

"We've brought in some good characters, a decent pitch is the least you can ask for to play good football on, and a good staff to help you get through tough times, whether it's injuries or trying to improve yourself.

"The gaffer is excellent at man-management.

"People might just turn up and see someone have a bad game and think 'oh, what a load of rubbish'.

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"We all know we've got a job to do, and that is important, but people still have lives, people's kids get sick, they have parents or pets that die, they have divorces.

"Football can be a hostile environment, but if you have a manager and staff that look after you as you go through a season, then it makes it an enjoyable place to work."

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