Steve: Do It For Glenn

As the first team players return to training at Chadwell Heath today, club captain Steve Lomas says on his colleagues' behalf that the players will take responsibility and try to win the last three games of the season for Glenn Roeder's sake - as well, of course, as for the fans.

Naturally, though, Steve's immediate thoughts, like those of his team mates, are with Glenn and his family, and he says:

"It is obviously not a very nice situation and no one likes to hear about something like this especially when it is someone you work with day in, day out.

"And I am sure it is a very difficult time for his wife and young family - it shows how football can affect your life.

"It is very hard for Glenn because the players can get away from it to a certain degree but the manager is there 24/7.

"It is definitely not a lack of work from him that we are in this situation, and he has shielded the players very well to try and take the pressure off us so we can get on with it as such.

"It is very unfortunate that it has led to this and the players are all concerned; we want Glenn up and about as soon as possible.

"But I know for certain Glenn would want us to go and win our next three games - I'm sure the first thing he would probably say is 'I'll get well but you do the business and get the nine points.'

"There is no real motivation needed; the lads can go and repay a little bit of Glenn's faith by hopefully staying in the Premiership next season and he will be up and on his feet again.

"I have spoken to a couple of the lads and they are all pretty sad about the situation; it has been a bolt out of the blue and it just goes to show what kind of a job it is.

"People only see the results on a Saturday, but they don't see what pressure managers are under nowadays.

"The message is we are going to try and get the three wins for Glenn - and ourselves and the fans - and stay in the Premiership.

"There would be no bigger boost for Glenn than that."