Glenn's Preview

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Glenn Roeder welcomes back three senior players this weekend after losing two to injury.

 

With Steve Lomas and Don Hutchison missing, back come Sebastien Schemmel, Trevor Sinclair, and Paolo Di Canio for the trip to Aston Villa, and Glenn says: "In view of the two injuries it is good that we have them back. Paolo has trained really well this week as he always does.

 

"He loves his training, and I'm sure with the other two he is really looking forward to the game.

 

"Trevor Sinclair has had a while off now with illness and suspension and he has been flying in training, while Sebastien has been doing well in training as well and he will want to get back on with the season and impress as he has done really well this year."

 

Last week was the first game of the season that Sebastien missed, and it will be interesting to see if he displaces Ian Pearce, who played at right back against Middlesbrough, or if a way is found to accommodate them both.

 

The win over the Boro was the first since 2000 without Paolo, but Glenn insists: "I don't want to make too much of that because people can misconstrue what is being said. A victory for the football club is the most important thing and that is the key issue.

 

"Because we haven't done so well on our travels this year it always puts so much pressure on our home form.

 

"So far this year when we have played at home the boys have come up trumps but it is really time we dug out a result on Saturday in what we know is going to be a tough game."

 

Paolo reiterated this week what he said here some time ago - that he wants to see out his contract at Upton Park before moving on.

 

Glenn's philosophy is to get the football out of the way this campaign before making decisions on contract extensions or which players to retain who are out of contract this summer, and he says:

 

"It can be off-putting to talk about contracts while the season is ongoing and there is a mad scramble for safety, and the end of next season is a very long way away. Contract negotiations are not sorted out overnight and it is less than professional to be talking about money and contracts during the season - it is not the right time to be talking about anything other than the football."

 

And, on that score, he says of the weekend: "Graham Taylor has had a massive managerial career and when he said he was going to retire I was not absolutely convinced he was going to stay retired. He carried on watching games with his media work, management gets into your blood, and it is difficult to eradicate even if you want to try.

 

"I wasn't surprised when the opportunity came at Aston Villa that Graham took it up, especially as he has been very successful there before.

 

"He did a great job there the first time and I am sure he will do so the second time around."

 

Glenn is determined to get the away form right before the end of the campaign, and adds: "We have got five games and by hook or by crook we have got to dig out some results, grind them out, and be as dogged away for the rest of the season as we are at home."