Wanderers will be looking to make up more ground on the League One pace-setters when they play their re-arranged game at Stevenage tomorrow (Tuesday) night, writes Pete Oliver.
The in-form Whites could move into the top six with a sixth league win in eight games as they tackle the first of their fixtures moved from an international date.
Ian Evatt’s men have a game in hand on three of the sides above them in the table and with next month’s scheduled trip to Rotherham also set to be postponed, the boss was keen to avoid the kind of congested programme that arguably cost them during last season’s promotion run-in.
“I think that's probably important to say we learned from last season, that seeing these games organised later on in the season can cause fixture congestion and we ended up playing an awful lot in a short space of time,” said the Wanderers’ boss, whose side went into turn of the year trying to play catch-up before finishing third in the table.
“If we can manage to fit these games in and around our schedule at the moment then it's important we do so. But it's okay having these extra games, you've got to go and put points on the board and tomorrow gives us that opportunity.
“We're not getting carried away. We know that we've had a pretty average start to this season, by our standards, but things have improved. We're on a good run of form and we have to continue that.
“We know it's going to be different to Saturday, but we have to go and compete and have the right attitude and mentality and if we can do that it gives us a great chance of winning the game and putting some more points on the board.”
Wanderers go to the Lamex Stadium – where mid-table Stevenage have won four of their five games so far this term – on the back of a dramatic late victory over Peterborough United last Saturday.
Klaidi Lolos’ injury-time winner means the Whites would move into the play-off places if they can secure a fourth away success of the campaign and there aren’t wins for both Lincoln City over Northampton and Reading at Stockport.
And Wanderers will be helped in their efforts by having Evatt back in the dug-out to direct operations after completing a three-match touchline ban for his dismissal against Shrewsbury Town at the start of the month.
“I think the staff have had some earache the last few games!” Evatt Told Wanderers TV. “It’s great for them that those ear pods will be taken out and we can just focus on moving forwards.
“It’s lessons learned really from me; punishment served, lessons learned and move forwards and it will be great to be part of the action again in the heat of the battle where I can focus on impacting the team on a positive way.
“The players are in good form and they're in good spirits. We have been on a good run of form, that's important to remember. We know the importance of tomorrow night so, fingers crossed, we can go there and do the job.”
Watch the manager’s full pre-match interview on Wanderers TV HERE