PRE-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE: Alexander previews Notts County trip

Um Graeme to speak to you. Um I'll just start with the team news first. Any fresh injury concerns on the back of Tuesday? Are you all good? >> No. Um everyone's fit which is great. Just uh had a meeting with Bobby there and uh everyone's available to train today. So, um, you know, fingers crossed that stays a stays the case for as long as possible, but, um, yeah, it's, um, it's been a good week from that side cuz obviously we've had 20 outfield players start a game of football. So, and, uh, they've all come through. So, really pleased. >> How's Tyreek coming along? >> H, he's coming along steadily. I think he's on track, not ahead of schedule. Um, not behind it. So, um, we've probably got another what we're saying probably another month, maybe 3, four weeks, uh, to to see him return back to training. So, we'll see how that goes. But he's he's making good progress. >> What are your reflections on Tuesday night? And I guess as a an exercise as well, without disrespecting Lorin and the competition, but to to get some minutes into some of the players. >> Yeah, look, I'm glad you sort of clarified that it wasn't excise for us. It was a game football we had to win and we wanted to win. So that was the the first priority for us, you know, going I know we made um 10 changes to the team, but had every confidence it was a strong enough team to win the game. So um from that perspective, really pleased to to be in the next round, to be in the draw. Really excited about that. and um you know to to um build up the value of the squad within themselves and the strength of it knowing that we we have 20 20 odd outfield players to be able to come into the team help the team win um important games is is a really big step forward for us especially with the 12 new players in the squad um you know over half the the outfield sort of number really to um every win, every time they play, they they get closer together. They learn about each other. I learn about those players as well and they learn about how the team plays and the intensity that we have to play at. So from that perspective, all those added um bonuses were really productive for us. But um yeah, the biggest thing uh after the game and and uh Wednesday morning was we're in the round for the or in the draw for the next round. That was the biggest thing for me >> when when you look at that squad now as well and I guess the the depth that you've got and like you say only Tyreek is the the only one injured at the minute and on the back of Tuesday as well. How tough a headache or or a selection as you like to put it have you got now? Is is this one of the hardest sort of moments in that respect that you've had since you've been at the club you think? >> Yeah. Yeah, without a doubt I think. Well, we've had I think we've had really good results with the squad in in the past, but probably not as uh as quickly with new players and um uh and as many changes, which we've, you know, we've uh even the trophy, it's maybe been sometimes seven or eight, it's never been a full 10 of the outfield. So from that perspective um it was it was a you know you look looking at it it's it's a strong group um this week um but it will be challenged it will be tested I think uh I I do have decisions to make but um the the the players who didn't play on Tuesday didn't did not play because of performance because obviously we had played well won the g previous game it was to for the growth of the squad and to obviously to keep everyone as healthy as possible. That was the biggest thing, you know. So, we came into uh the game against Knox County with a a fully fit squad who's all been exposed to to uh game scenarios. So, uh from that perspective, it's it was important. But um [clears throat] I think every time a player goes onto the pitch, he has an opportunity to showcase himself, to to to prove to himself, to his teammates, to me, to the supporters that um he can help us win games. And they've all done that this week. So um but I'd much rather be in this position where I have difficult decisions to make. Um but what I'd say on the the counter side of that is the players have to handle it as well. So, it's not just me that has to handle the scenario and and pick the team that I I believe is right, but the there's going to be some disappointing players without a shadow of a doubt. Um certainly from Tuesday's game because we can involve them all um for tomorrow's match. Um but that doesn't diminish what they did on Tuesday, you know, that uh that they've proved to to us that they can help us win games and that's what we're here for. So, um, not only have I got difficult decisions, the lads are going to be a little bit disappointed, um, tomorrow, but the biggest thing for me is it's not about keeping a happy squad. It's about keeping a motivated squad, a respectful squad, um, and a determined and professional squad. And, and that's it probably be tomorrow will be its first test of how we all handle the the scenario we're in right now. >> Debuts as well for Hayden, for Kieran, and for Cory on Tuesday night. How do you think they did? How are they settling in as well? >> Yeah, I think that, you know, I've been there not not often because I only had four clubs, but when you go to a new club, you it's always you want to establish yourself. You want to you want to let your teammates know what what you can bring to the game. And um there's always something missing until you play a game. You know, it's that's when you really get into it. You know, coming into the change room after the game and everyone's buzzing because you've won and and you've been a major part of it. that's when you can sort of really integrate yourself. So we every players has had that opportunity apart from Cam Dawson. So but he'll have his um if he continues to train as as he has been cuz he's been superb. So um apart from that everyone else new players has had the opportunity to play. So um I think for them it's really important. I think uh the for the players already here realize that we brought good players in. I think that's important because there has to be a um a trust and uh a respect that um these players are here to to help us win. That that's the biggest thing. You know, it's not I know as a footballer, you've always got your individual and your your your career that you have to focus on, but unless you're a team player, you you you probably don't succeed here at Bradford. So, I think it's important for them to all understand that. >> I know a lot of players came out of that game with a decent amount of credit. um Steven Humphrey's being one of them. Does that performance on Tuesday warrant him a spot in the the squad on Saturday or is there still more to do for him to be part of for one of a better phrase the league squad if you like? >> Um well I think it's both points. I think there is still more for him to do without a shadow of a doubt. I've said that after the game you know he knows exactly where he is and and where he needs to get to. Um but also Tuesday's performance has put him in contention for for tomorrow. So he's he's ticked both box or both boxes ticked on that that he's put himself in contention with his performance, but he still has a lot of improvement to make on. I think it the the the one-off games. We know every player is capable of one-off games. You know, it's it's my biggest frustration in football and I hear people talk about individual players and say on his day it's it's croc. It's a load of rubbish. is it's a load of rubbish on his day. Everyone on his day can have one. I'm not talking about Humpty. I'm talking about everybody. Consistency. It's a league season we're talking about. We're talking about 50 games over 10 months. You know, one good game here and there is no good to anybody. It's about consistency. And I'm talking about every single player. And I have this uh conversation with every individual. So the the the the the positive performance and how cuz as a team we can have one positive performance then we need another one 3 days later and then another one 3 days later for us to be able to do that. We have to have players that can do that as well and it doesn't have to be spectacular performance. I'm not talking about that. So I thought uh in the first half was excellent bit quiet in the second but scored a brilliant goal. Um so the the moments were there but it's all the stuff in between. So him pressing the goalkeeper, him linking the play, him competing with center halfs for for clearances, all these things add up to consistency. Um but now the challenge for everybody is can you do it again? Can you do it again? Can you keep your motivation at the same point? Can you keep your determination at the same point? Can you keep your fitness levels at the same point and improve them? That's how a a seasoned successful footballer works and that's what we try to help all our players achieve. And um some are naturally sort of inclined to be that way. Others need encouragement because their their probably highs are higher than others, but their lows can't be so low that it's a a massive contrast. >> I was going to ask that actually just what what goes into that? Is there an exact science behind getting players to that level of consistency? >> Yeah, every day good habits. That's it. Every day. Prepare yourself for training as you would for a game. That that's how I see it. It's, you know, I think the, you know, it's no good just meandering through Monday to Friday and all a sudden, oh, it's match day, right? I've got to prepare. I've got to eat right and drink right. Too late. Gone. You ain't got you. You're not going to catch up if you've not done the right things from Monday to Friday. Mentally, physically, the whole lot. So, if you can come in in the morning and you start getting your kit on, you're starting mentally preparing for training. You know, listen, I know we have like Paul and D and but we have analysis clips on going on all the time in in the canteen. So, are they watching him? Which I do see the players, you know, walk past and I see lads watching the clips all the time. So, you mentally preparing for training because it's performance-based as well training, you know. So, when players, you know, speak about not having the opportunity until games, they have an opportunity every time that they're training because I'm we watch everything. We assess everything. And I just think for players on benefit, preparing and being the best you can be every single time you put your kit on, it just becomes natural then. And you don't even have to get up for the games. They're just it's just another continuation. So that's that's how I see um for one, I know this from my own career, you know, from learning the from experience of how to prepare for training for game and then the games just look after themselves. But I think um so that's a challenge for every every professional footballer because there I've said this to a squad I know 10 days ago. I know people there's levels of professional footballers but there's no bad professional football players. They don't they don't exist. They're already in elite by being professional. You know when you think about how many pe people play football around the world. So to get to that level you you you h have the ability. Um it's just reproducing it week in week out. and um hopefully we can get all our players to to that sort of level. >> As someone who's been around footballs as much as you have throughout your career, Graeme, as a player and as a manager, have you seen it make or break careers um you know, players just just not players perhaps with the the quality to hit the top heights but just not get there because of those other aspects? >> Yeah, without a doubt, 100%. the game, the club clubs all all over the place are full of players that have unbelievable days and and then people go and watch them the next week and is that the same player and it's like could be this, could be that, could be what, you know, that's the thing. So, I think um for for me that I think players and and humans in general, but certainly footballers have so many opportunities to make the right choices. You know, it's it's not down on whim, you know. I know people that have superstitions and and I had superstitions as a player. It's all load of rubbish. Um because you can just do it by preparing right every week and every day um getting yourself prepared. And everyone knows there's so much information, so much education out there for players to be able to um to know what to do, what to eat, what to drink. We had to sort of learn off the back of a a fat packet sort of thing back in the day. You know what I mean? Or what what was said before, you know? It was there wasn't that much information. But now it's an overload of you know good detail and um so there's no excuses really because the clubs you know our club for instance you know we went down on train on the day stayed over after the game came back on the train the night after the day after. So the preparation the clubs help with the players is really high now as well. So there's no excuses for underperformance in a physical or mental mental level. I know technically if you try things it's not always going to come off you and stuff like that but there's a baseline where you can get to all the time and and almost have a guarantee for your teammates and your manager that I'm always going to produce this and I think if players have that I just think it leads to uh bigger things. I I think Humps was a an a great example of that the other night where listen I I'll speak from my perspective but I I haven't seen him perform that like that for a long long time but for the previous month he's just been running like running mentally after training listen he's trained with us but then straight after running afterwards running in the gym bike pool it's been non-stop it's been non-negotiable this is it if you don't do it no parts to play. So, it's been really clear for him and he's committed to it. He's committed. He had a few moans and groans at the start, but he's committed to it and and cracked on. So, I think going into that game on Tuesday, mentally, he was in a brilliant place. I bet he was determined. I bet he was, this is my opportunity, he know physically how hard he'd worked for the previous month. So, it it was just a continuation of of what his preparation had been. Now, can he take that preparation on himself rather than us? Absolutely. Sort of put the handcuffs on him. That that's the the challenge for him. >> Just personnel wise, um Graeme, is Sam Clucas still training with the team? >> Uh no, he's picked up um just a little uh calf strain back end last week. So, he he missed out this week and obviously we've been traveling, so he hasn't been with us this week. >> Is he still part of the group though in >> No, he hasn't. He hasn't been in because obviously this our first day um um back so um we're just going to pick it up with him. uh over the phone to see where he is on that cuz he was traveling from his home to come here and if it was just for a little bit of treatment we've not been here it wouldn't be uh it wouldn't be right to do. >> Is the free agent market still something you are assessing or or keeping an eye on or you quite happy with where you're at numbers wise at the minute? >> We're still assessing it. I think we're still looking at it. I think we have to uh keep our eyes on because we haven't got a massive squad. We haven't got excess numbers. We've got I think the perfect numbers if you haven't got any injuries. Excuse me. If you pick up one or two or two or three, I think we're still in a strong position. Any more than that, then we're we're right on the limit again. So, I think it's important for us just to maintain that sort of that openness that we can do something. If we can do something financially, that's that's the thing cuz after the window shuts, we have to sort of assess where we are financially and everything like that. So, um, but if we do pick up injuries, I'm not looking to add on to what we have right now, but if we do pick up an injury or two, then, um, we have to be aware and prepared for that. >> Knox County this weekend. Um, I know you're always pretty selffocused when it comes to to games anyway, Graeme, but what have you made of of them this season? >> Um, well, really really um, they've obviously got had a great season last year getting promoted. I know the the manager really well. M Patterson played with him and we we're in contact quite often. So, you know, there there is a sort of um an interest there from me just uh on the sake of looking looking at my mates results really. So, I think they've had a really positive start to the season. Um unbeaten in the league. Uh so, bit of turnover in in the squad which you get, you know, we've had as well. So all that sort of thing, but they have a a way of playing that um is sort of uh that Knots County had sort of before, but Pau's put his own stamp on it and um so good team with good players and and and a very good manager. So um the challenge will be there motivated. Both teams will want to win the game without a doubt. um they're probably in a sort of similar position to us obviously last season getting promoted and and sort of keeping that momentum going into the season but uh you know every game's a challenge and we've obviously had our challenges there in the past couple of years so we know it's a tough place but I think the squad's in a good place I think we're in um we're we're ready to go there and perform at the the highest level we can and that's what it's going to take to to be able to win the game. >> What was you like as a character Martin Patterson and did you ever see him as a manager? Uh, no. Well, not at that stage because I was slight I was 37. I think he was about 21. So, um, but we had a real good relationship because we were both really intense, really aggressive, really, you know, everyday training at it. So, I took a real shine to him even though he was a really young player, you know, different sort of generation to me, but we had so much in common. And, uh, so that's probably why we're still in contact uh, you know, after not playing with each other for for so long. But, you know, um I did sign him at Flewood um on loan, but unfortunately got injured after three games. But, uh yeah, he's um he's you know, when he was in America, we we had the old Zoom call here and there. So, he's uh now he's a proper competitor and he's he's uh I've always had time for Po. He's a he's a great guy and um he's done a fantastic job at Knots County. I'm really pleased with him. >> Cheers, Graeme. Thank you. Thanks a lot. >> You were saying Graeme obviously about Martin there. you know, Knots County, another one of those clubs where it's got a sort of a big spotlight, haven't they? You know, it's it's it's a big club and a bit like here, there's obviously expectation he's gone into that role. >> Yeah. Yeah, I'd agree with that. I think um you know, there's it's got a profile about it, you know, certainly in in the lower lower leagues because it's its history, the size of it. Um but you know it's had its difficult moments but you know obviously got you know been in national league um a few years ago but uh eventually got got out of there and and back into league where they should be really you know and um but you have to earn everything you get in football but uh I think you I remember speaking to Pau you know when he first got the job and he was really excited about the the opportunity. I think I think he'd done a really good job burning before that in really difficult circumstances. So, uh, I think he was hurting from that, but I thought N County was a a great opportunity for him to showcase what he can do, and he's he's certainly done that. >> And I know don't like raking up the pass, but if you go back to obviously not count your very first away game. >> Yeah. >> So, you went there with a a back four, very much looking at the the new players. >> I mean, when you look at where the club was then and where the club is now, >> it's it's some it's been some leap, hasn't it? Uh yeah, we to be fair, we made a leap in the 15 minutes at Halime to be honest. We we scrapped the back four and we scrapped the sort of mid block and we just went back three and press everything that moves and uh it saw the second half was a complete contrast to the first half. Um scored two goals. We should have actually got something from the game from being 4-0 down at Halime. You know, we we were absolutely gutted that we didn't, you know, sort of actually win the game, let alone even draw it. So um but you know these are the things that I talk about all the time you know these really difficult moments where they're a chance to sort of grow from and and uh be energized and have clarity and certainly that first half me for me gave gave me a lot of clarity about what was needed here. um still had a few more lessons to learn along the way which would been well documented but yeah it was I thought it was the first sort of moment really where I think uh we had nothing to lose at that half time um apart from a bit of pride and stuff like that but I thought we got a lot of that and a lot of self-belief in that second half but how we went about it we just just went out and uh turned the ball over so many times didn't obviously we we went back the season after not a great um either so you know you don't have to bring up I just mentioned it myself before so I'm well aware of that but um like we've done in the past and you know late in or we got beat there last last year and then we've gone and beat them. It's uh all games in the past but there are lessons to learn along the way but that was uh yeah I'd agree that uh at Halime that was probably as low as I thought it could get. Um, we still had another few lows later on this season, but certainly now where we are, the the the growth of the club, the the the the improvement of everybody and and everything within it has been um I would say steady and maybe not rapid, but very steady and uh and an upward curve and um we're delighted we've we've had the opportunity to do that. So when you get like a bit of a sliding doors moment like that. If you look back perhaps if you'd gone in at one nil down you might not have you know I mean I would say you obviously didn't stumble across going on three at the back. You just thought right let's change it. But you know it proved to be >> what ultimately has been a very successful formula. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well I think I said it last week after the game that I don't mind being a pragmatic manager. If if something's clearly not working then yeah we'll try and find a solution for it. But you know it's about giving it some time. But obviously at 4-0 down at Halime, you know, you you everything's out the window. So, it's just a fresh start. And I wanted it to be that with the team. So, I just said, "Right, forget about the first half, forget about the game. We have to win the second half. This is where we're starting from. Bang." And uh we did that. I think it was really really strange scenario really where we got beat. I think it was 4-2. Um, but there was a real belief in the change room after the game because of how we played in the second half and it so I think we won our next six games after that on the bounce. So it there's these moments that can change if you sort of harness it the right way and actually learn from it. And um yeah, it was a yeah, it was a certainly a sort of um an introduction into into life at Bradford, you know, losing our first and yeah, we were 1 nil down on our first game after 24 seconds, Barrow at home and then the next game we're 4-0 down at halftime live on Sky. So it's uh it certainly a testing moment, but um but that that but that's what it is. That's what I talk about all the time. the ability to sort of just see the light at the end of the tunnel, keep chasing it, keep being uh positive. Um because nothing is ever fatal, you know, that that's in football. That's what I would say. So, um yeah, it was a certainly a marking a marker point for for our sort of birth as a as a team. >> Obviously, you talked about the the selection headache as such. I mean, is it also part of your role? you how difficult it's going to be leaving out players who play well because obviously you know you say this is your opportunity to go out and earn your shirt and >> people probably put in performances that would have earned a shirt if it wasn't for the fact that there's >> 20 others who've earned the shirt so they so is is it also watching that reaction as you say >> seeing how these players cope with the fact that someone will be thinking I played really well the other day and I'm not even in the 18 >> yeah that that's the the challenge and uh but you know earning insured doesn't mean you earn it for the direct next It's only for the next opportunity comes up. So when the next opportunity comes up if you haven't handled yourself in that game maybe one week, two week, 3 weeks previous. You might not get that opportunity next time cuz I might look at it and go actually he didn't really take it last time. Actually I'm going to stick with the same guy. But actually there's what happens is now that performance puts a bit of pressure on the one with the shirt. So you might not get the shirt, but you're putting a bit more pressure on it and you're making it competitive and he's looking over his shoulder and he's keep keeping the bar high or you can't maintain it and then you get your opportunity whatever it is you just what we just talking about Knots County there the the the game two and a half years ago real low moment but we we handled ourselves well and we were positive about the next challenge we took the hit and carried on. That's what each individual has to be able to do. So for our team to be that our individuals have to you know sort of showcase that and these are the moments when they will cuz I I know I'll have to disappoint four or five players tomorrow you know I mean that that's but you know unfortunately I can't change rules and play 20 players. Um but I talked about it last week that you have to have a respect for your teammates. You have to have an understanding of the situation but you still have to have that that desire to be in the team. And if you have an issue have it with me. Come and speak to me. Have a conversation. Um, say whatever you want, you know? I mean, they're grown men. They have opinions. I have an opinion. Um, but it's important that they show that they're a team player. They they respect their teammate. There's no bad players in our squad. There's no bad professional footballers. So, everyone deserves to play tomorrow. But I can only pick 11 players and then obviously um the the subs bench. Um, so it will be a uh Tuesday was a challenge in one sense coming into the team and and competing. Now, tomorrow's going to be a challenge because you might not get the opportunity. How are you going to be? Are you going to be a mood hoover and bring everyone down and just think about yourself or you gonna think about the big picture about being part of a successful squad that's going to compete over 50 games in four different competitions and we're going to need everybody? So, it's it's how you look at and I know it's difficult because I was a player and I don't I don't forget what it was like for me to be a player and being left out and it hurt a lot. But I then became that consistent competitor every single day. A to sort of feel good about myself, but b to actually put as much pressure on the manager and the players in front of me to get back in that team. And that's how the the game works. The this thing about when people talk about how are you going to keep 20 players happy? Forget about it. How do you keep 20 players competitive and motivated and together? They're the most important things. happy doesn't come into it. It doesn't come into it. It it's it's all the other things that come into it. And I think every player has the opportunity and it is an opportunity tomorrow to show what a top professional you are. >> I remember [clears throat] I remember that going game at not it was up and it was up and down but you sort of look especially since the start of promotion season you can probably count on one hand how many sort of bad you've been really you know what you're going to get from Bradford. You've had the odd >> think >> the odd sort of bad day really been isol in isolation. something that must really please you really sort of know what you're going to get most of the time. >> That that's where the consistency comes in. So, we're capable of playing really well, but if we don't play particularly well, we're still competitive. We're still organized. We're still um have an opportunity to take something from the game cuz no no team at any level plays well every single game because there's so many different opponents, different challenges. So, you have to be able to um win points along the way or win cup games in in relying on the other things. And uh and consistency is really important. >> It's such a volatile sport. It's a volatile um uh emotive sort of uh game, you know, in all the clubs and certainly at Bradford as well. Um, so if you haven't got a a steady sort of mentality and a consistent mindset, then you're probably going to fluctuate with with everything else that happens. And that's what we've tried to put in that. Uh, and I believe that that the supporters have bought into that in general that they they always see a team that's competing and going to the end and very rarely does it not. If it doesn't, then I'll say it doesn't. It hasn't. like I did at Plymouth after the second goal. I thought we didn't believe that we could win the game. That's what disappointed disappointed me more than most that I don't think we handles handled ourselves after the second goal in great fashion. >> Um but I believe we have since then. I really do. Even in the Cambridge game, I believe we have. >> So um I think in the long term that sort of behavior and that sort of mindset will uh pay dividends because we know we have the quality, we know we have good players. Um but the the the the preparation in the mind is the most important thing to get yeah the the the best level of performance out of each player. >> You said earlier you said you know this phrase on this day you can't stand it. I'd imagine things like second season syndrome and hangover. I bet you can't you no time for all that. But but it's it's all stereotypical football talk, you know, like uh that that goes on and I get it. Um but it's sort of regurgitated about things and it's it's >> it's either used to as a stick to beat people with or >> um you know as an excuse for some sort of performance and I think they can all be um disbanded and actually broken down in in in logical ways that it doesn't have to be that way, you know. So um you know it is it's just one of my pet hates that thing cuz uh you know the on his day thing this for player you know when is it is it a Thursday when we don't play a game or it's a day off you know I mean it needs to be match day that's it so but to do that you have to >> for every every uh occupation preparation practice you know all that sort of thing that comes into it. So professional football is no different to to any other walk of life if you want to be really good at it. If you want to be really good at something, you have to be consistently good. So that's what we try to to build into the players. >> You brought in some, you know, some exciting players. Some of working with Morgan, he's had a he's got a good sort of CV and, you know, he's done well in the Champions. That must sort of >> excite you. He's something who can really come to the party. >> I I think we've signed really good young players as well as good experienced play. I think Cory O'Keefe's example that he's he's 28. Um been around at a few clubs, but you see his performance. He's really mo he's a really good good intelligent footballer. I think Kieran Hayden um just off the top of my head there. Uh uh George sorry coming in young players from the championship that that um are learning the game still and uh but they've got a base line of talent um which makes them good players but there's still a learning process in into the game. So I think all those young players as well as our own young players who are learning the game still um I think it makes to for a good mix. I think you see the experience we've got really top level um experienced players and characters >> and then those young players that have um that need a bit of guidance from now and then a little bit of encouragement now and then uh clip of the wings now and then um all those things to but the the biggest thing is when I see it everyone's trying to support each other and help each other. there was so much support from the senior players for some of those young players on Tuesday night. It was it was great to see and that's what we we wanted it to be a healthy environment where the the players sort of take the lead really and not not me and the staff and I think I think um we give enough room for those players to to be able to do that. >> Um but um all all football I listen the Nick Powell excites me. >> Yeah. >> You know what I mean? So it's not just the the young one that hasn't had his career yet and he's got the talent. I'd see players that have seen a second opportunity to >> to really enjoy their their game and really enjoy the football. And I I think for me, one of the bonuses this season so far has been has been Nick's sort of um consistency in being available to us >> and how he's performed. He's been unplayable when he's when he's come into the games. So that excites me because you sort of helping a more experienced player sort of still enjoys his football and and have a have a a rebirth sort of thing. So um I I I just get excitement from seeing players fulfill their potential and that and it doesn't matter about their age. It could be someone like Sam Walker when he came and joined us and >> weren't playing regular and then all of a sudden he's had two and a half years of unrivaled success in his career. All these things I think they've all got their own stories and um you just want to try and play a part in it and I think it's not just me staff supporters everyone at the club can help help us do that. >> Yeah. So ask your family everything's a little bit up in the international break. You could could be playing you [clears throat] it's difficult to sort of plan isn't it really the older thought? >> Uh not really cuz I'm just planning for Saturday. >> Yeah, >> that's it. So plan for Saturday prepare for that and then um when things happen they happen. If they don't they don't but we're always ready to play. We always have to be ready to play and I'm sure we will be.