Winger back amongst the goals
Adam McGurk continued his recent good form for the Brewers grabbing the second goal in Albion's 3-1 victory away at Cheltenham Town and providing an assist for Phil Edwards goal just after half time that wrapped up the points. The Irishman only recently returned to the side after a spell on the substitutes bench and was pleased with the way the side went about their business against a home side looking low on confidence and struggling down towards the bottom end of League 2. On a difficult pitch Albion took their chances clinically and McGurk was happy with the quality Albion showed in putting their opponents to the sword."We started the game well. We were well organised and we dont concede many goals." said Adam, "I think everyone knows their roles and what they are doing and we have that bit of quality at times. Obviously Bevs, for the first one was brilliant and that got us going."
"The pitch wasnt the best but it was the same for both teams, very bobbly which made it a bit scruffy at times but we did well to take the two chances that we got and give ourselves a half time lead."
A rare headed goal from McGurk put Albion two goals to the good before half time and after a lean spell in front of goal the former Tranmere man has come back with two goals in his last three appearances and he is hopeful that he can now go on a run and boost his confidence ahead of the vital run-in to the end of the season.
"Obviously the more goals I can get the more confident I'll get. I'm feeling fresh at the minute and a bit more confident that during the winter months so I am just looking to keep going, stay in the team and get a few more goals now until the end of the season."
"Even when I spoke with the gaffer previously nobody questioned my commitment or work ethic it was just a lack of confidence which anyone can go through, it doesnt matter what level you are playing at. I probably was lacking a bit of confidence towards the start of the season when things werent going right but you just have to work hard and hopefully I can have a better second half of the season."
Albion were not always able to play the flowing passing game that the manager is keen on bringing to the Brewers side but it is now getting to the stage of the season where a win, first and foremost, is what is required and Hasselbaink's men are going to have to find ways and means of getting three points however they can. A flexibility that McGurk feels is something he and his team mates are more than capable of.
"Sometimes its just about getting the win however you can. Obviously you want to put in a good performance which gives you confidence but the main thing now is to get a run going to the end of the season. Its all about results now. You are not going to win pretty or tonk every team. There are many ways to win a match and we just have to keep going. We know we are a good team at this level. Our aim is to get promoted and that is what we are looking to do."
Three points at Whaddon Road put Albion top of the table with almost two thirds of the campaign gone and with two home games to come there is an opportunity to lay down a marker but there are no easy games at this stage of a season and Adam knows that the manager will not let his team rest on their laurels.
"It feels good to be top of the league." Adam added, "It has been pretty tight at the top all season. Obviously it means nothing now at this time of the season but it is about who can get the best run going over the next ten games or so and hopefully we can do that and pull away from the rest."
"Our home form has been good under the gaffer. We want to keep that going but we have two tough games. Wimbledon wont be easy and Oxford the same. As I said there are many ways to win a game and hopefully we can do that with a good performance but its about the three points."
"We had a chat at the start of the week in training. The gaffer likes to have hard training sessions to try and push us on and keep us fit and there is no slacking, he made that clear. He has made it clear that it is going to be hard for the rest of the season. If we achieve our aim of promotion then we can have our time to enjoy it but until then we keep working as hard as ever."
McGurk endured a frustrating first half of the season where the goals were not flowing and over Christmas and early January he has watched from the substitutes bench as the team have maintained their good form under the new manager but Adam has come back with a new lease of life in recent games and now he is ready for the challenge ahead - fired up and ready to go.
"I had a chat with the gaffer just before the York game and told him I really wanted to play, nobody wants to be on the bench and I knew that when I did get my chance I had to take it, the gaffer said I would get my chance and perhaps it was the kick up the backside that I needed, focussed me a bit and now I want the games to come thick and fast and get as many goals and good performances as I can."