"On paper, it would seem that the lads have lost some of that early season momentum, but to be honest, what has been good is the fact that players such as Jack Dorney, Ricky Anane and Domaine Rouse haven't been playing Youth Team Football which they were at the very start of the season.  In my eye's, they are better than that level anyway; they should be playing reserve team football and touching on the first team which they have been doing."

"There progress up has seen other people step in and as of yet, it's proving that the people stepping in aren't quite upto that standard yet, but and you know that this is coming, its about development of young players and it takes time for people to get that confidence up, and to realise that they are playing games regularly and to have belief in themselves and each other."

"Its not just about the individual, you look at the team and you don't see a Domaine Rouse or a Ricky Anane.  It is a weakened team, but you have to get on with it and do the best you can as an individual."

"Development is all that matters, I was saying the same thing when we were seven points clear at the top of the league, now we are 7th and twelve points behind the leaders, but it's all about development.  It's about these players stepping upto the grade and proving top us that they are worth a place in the reserve team.  Unfortunately we haven't had many reserve games of late because of the weather."

"At the start of the season, all the lads wanted to do was win the league and that's admirable, but I have been saying from day one that its not about winning the league, but doing the best you can to progress as far as you can at this football club and to hopefully get into the first team, that is irrelevant to winning the league or winning a game."

"It has been difficult and some of them have taken that on board.  It's been difficult because the competitive edge in any sport makes you want to try and win, but sometimes you have to look beyond the short term and look at long term.  It's about progression and it takes a few steps backwards before you can go forward.  I have to admit that some of the first years have taken a few steps backwards but hopefully in the next couple of months, we will see them taking a few steps forward."

"Ricky Anane played five minutes in the first team against Norwich City in the FA Cup.  To get that opportunity he has proved to us that he can do it.  He's been very highly thought of at this football club and rightly so because of his performances, they are consistent, they are regular and in my eyes, he deserves more opportunities.  We have had a change in manager and at the moment, Alan's not had the chance yet to see Ricky play because we haven't played a reserve game since Alan came in."

"It was fantastic to see the youth team lads standing after the Norwich game applauding the first team as they came off.  The feel good factor after that night was fantastic and if we could keep that and bottle it, to show to them more often and to create that atmosphere will make this a great place to come and work."

"Not only have we lost players to the first team, we've had players that have left us to seek other careers.  Dominic Taylor has left, Spencer Dillon has left and Max Johnson decided to try another club.  We had 20 lads at the start of the season, and that's a lot of lads to try and keep happy.  It has been quite difficult but the lads that are still here have given themselves a great opportunity to stay in the game, and that's all you can ask."