[BFC SITE] Press Conference | Darrell Clarke

The Reds Head Coach spoke to the media to preview our trip to Bristol Rovers in Sky Bet League One this weekend.

On Interest in Reds Players

"Phillo (Adam Phillips) is obviously a talented player, but we've had no bids. We've got quite a few talented players and there's been no bids for any of our players. So, it's business as usual. It's one of those things where as a manager you expect good players and people to be interested in good players. I'd be more concerned if nobody's talking about the players, so it's just the nature of the beast, we get on with it."

On Potential Additions

" Nothing imminent, but a lot of work is being done in the background to make sure that we get the targets in the right positions that we're looking to strengthen. I always say this, let's let's judge our business at the end of the window. For me, it's about working hard with my players, getting us ourselves ready for Saturday and then obviously the recruitment team is working hard to get the right players that we need."

On Potential Departures

"The squad needs trimming down. Some of the fringe players need to move on. We've had one or two bits of interest, but nothing imminent on that as well. For myself, the squad's too big and players get a little bit frustrated when they're not part of it as they'd expect. And it is time for players to move on and kickstart their careers again, for whatever reason. But other than that, I expect them to come into the building, work professionally, and keep continuing to be professional. I'll accept nothing else, and to make sure that they're ready if called upon."

On Return of Andy Dallas

"Yeah, we'll wait and see. We'll wait and see. I mean, he's only been in a day. He's trained well. He's done alright at Barrow, so we'll see how things progress on that one."

Process of Recruitment

" I think it's difficult to explain to supporters, to everybody really - there's a lot of things that go into negotiations in terms of trying to get the right players in. A lot of the time they're wanted by other clubs as well. It can be frustrating as well, to be honest with you, but we just get on with it. I try not to get too high or too low, on that sort of thing, to be honest with you. Control the controllables and a lot of my work is improving the team, improving the players we've got in the Club and making sure that we're picking up plenty of wins."

On Areas of Potential Additions

"I'm not one to talk about, in this window, the positions I'm looking to strengthen. I think that's disrespectful to my squad. No doubt, we need competition for places in all areas. We've got Jackson Smith in the building, we've got Ben Killip who has been performing well. So, we're always looking at every area and every position of our squad to strengthen it."

On Saturday's opponents, Bristol Rovers

"Yeah, no, they've struggled this season, although their owners mentioned that they've got the biggest budget in their history, their fifth bottom in the league at the minute and invested highly into the squad. The new manager has come in, listen, going to Bristol Rovers is always a difficult place to go. I know that. We have to be, we have to be ready for it because the manager will have them fighting for them. They have got some quality players. We have to be at our best to go and pick up maximum points."

"It can be a hostile atmosphere on both ways, in both environments if the player is not putting a shift in. Trust me, their players will know about that. It also can go in their favour when the team is performing well, they get right behind them. Our focus is to continue our magnificent away form and to go there with confidence. We're disappointed that last week's game's called off and we've had a bit of an enforced break, which I wouldn't have preferred, if I'm honest. Not many injury concerns, so we're looking forward to it."

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