davey interview from official site

REDS boss Simon Davey gave his thoughts ahead of tomorrow's trip to Southampton.</p>

Simon said: &quot;We have had a flu bug going around this week. Grant McCann and Peter Rajczi will not make it; Martin Devaney has also been ill but he has trained and will travel. Adam Eckersley has a groin strain and will miss out so either Neil Austin or Paul Heckingbottom will come in at left back. Nardiello, Richards, Coulson and Hayes will all fight for that spot up front while Togwell and Jones could come into the midfield reckoning. Lewin Nyatanga will also be in the squad.</p>

&quot;Antony Kay will not be in the squad this weekend. I have picked my squad and Antony is not in it. Every player has to take not being involved at some point because we have to make decisions on merit and if we feel a squad will go and win the game then that is the one we will take. Antony was not in the squad against Colchester and we made a mistake on the teamsheet before the game. He was not in the 16 but that does not mean he will not be in it next week. There were other players who did not feature against Colchester who could be in the side tomorrow. We will pick our team on merit and we have not had a consistent run of results at the moment so we have to find that winning formula. We have options and we will change things around until we find that winning formula.</p>

&quot;The lads are happy at the moment and we have no problems in the camp other than we have to win football matches. We will be a lot happier when we start winning games. We know what we have to do between now and the end of the season - we have to get on with it and make sure we put it right.</p>

&quot;We have brought in two excellent players this week. Lewin has international experience and bring balance to the left hand side of our defence. He is a 6'3&quot; lad with experience and he will have a fantastic future ahead of him. Although he is young but if he was not a good player then he would not be given the chance to perform at international level. If he can do that then he can perform in the Championship.</p>

&quot;Ritchie is from Manchester United and is technically an excellent footballer. He will contribute this season and his age is not a concern to us&quot;.</p>

He added: &quot;We are all in it together and we know exactly what we have to do. We have assembled a group of players who will keep us in this division.</p>

&quot;I think Dwayne (Mattis) has been harshly treated since joining the club. I have watched the Colchester video and I think he gave the ball away once. That is disappointing for the lad. He has come into a team that is struggling in the relegation zone and he has been a target.</p>

&quot;I think it is unfair and his performances have not warranted what he has been getting. Dwayne is a strong lad and he is mature and is a good enough player to come through it. We have every faith in him.</p>

&quot;Dwayne is professional and he will get on with his job. He is experienced enough to come through this.</p>

&quot;Southampton are a good side and it will be a big test. Every team in this division are big and a lot of them have been in the higher league for a long time. There will be eleven men on that field and we have to deal with them. Any team in this division can beat anyone on their day and we will be going there to win&quot;.</p>

 

Matthis has been harshly treated on this site. He has done nothing right yet, but he has played in 2 games where we had no-one protecting a poor back 4, so he cops it from the fans and is the scapegoat. He might turn out to be absolute sh** but none of really know yet. Cheering players being subbed off is dreadful, I was appalled last week, how can that help? If we want him to improve, we must get behind him and the rest of the team.