The second leg of the Sky Bet League One Play-Off Semi-Finals are upon us with Peterborough United leading Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 ahead of a showdown at Hillsborough, while Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley are all level at 1-1 before they meet again at Oakwell.
Here’s what the managers had to say…
Darren Moore (Sheffield Wednesday)
“Nobody is going to give us anything”
“In terms of scoreline and performance, it was unacceptable. There weren’t many words in the dressing room afterwards. It was so quiet. It wasn’t easy to put things into words because after the game you’re sore.
“I told the boys they’ve got to regroup because we’ve got another game at the S6 and our supporters, our club, want a better performance than that. It’s an uphill task but we have to regroup and keep the focus and determination. If you go into next week and believe there is no hope, there is no hope.
“Nobody is going to give us anything. The 46 games has gone. It’s done, finished and doesn’t serve a purpose now. It’s us who have got ourselves into this mess and it’s up to us to show a better account of ourselves.”
Darren Ferguson (Peterborough United)
“Anything can happen”
“To beat Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 is a fantastic result for us. Overall, it was a very pleasing performance but it’s only half way. There’s no complacency. There can’t be. We want to go to Hillsborough and try and win the game. That’s how we will approach it and that’s the attitude that we have got. They are so good at home.
“I’ve been in this game long enough to know anything can happen, but it was a really good night for us. I have to say that.
“It’s not about me, the players have got to take all the credit after a performance like that. They have to get the credit. It was a very good performance against a good team. The fans were outstanding. I’ve had it before here in the Play-Offs and it was amazing again.”
Michael Duff (Barnsley)
“We have to give everything again”
“I’m sure both teams will have a look at the game and tweak certain things. Overall, I’m really pleased with the performance and we’re still in it.
“It is going to be a similar sort of affair I would imagine. Obviously, we are at home so we will have the backing of the crowd. Hopefully, that can give us a bit of a boost.
“I’d imagine there haven’t been many games Bolton have been limited to that many chances. But we have got to do it again. The last time they came to our place, they beat us 3-0 so there will be no taking our eye off the ball or back slapping thinking it is done. There are 90 more minutes and we have to give everything again.”
Ian Evatt (Bolton Wanderers)
“There is a huge amount of expectancy”
“We need to go to Barnsley, where everyone now expects them to win, and perform the way we know that we can. I do think it is a real positive that it is a 50/50 game going into Friday. For us, it is about focusing on our own performances and making sure that we perform to our best level.
“Our crowd have been amazing all season. There is a huge amount of expectancy at this Club – there always is – and we have to rise to that.
“Barnsley will feel they are in a strong position. But I feel we are in a strong position. There will be more onus on them being the home team, more pressure and we are a dangerous team when the spaces become bigger.”