Nathanael Ogbeta paid tribute to the togetherness in the Wanderers’ camp as they battled back to secure a vital win at Cambridge United, writes Pete Oliver.
Ian Evatt’s men went behind at the Abbey Stadium and trailed at the break.
But a superb second-half capped by Carlos Mendes’ brilliant winner secured a 2-1 win which lifted the Whites level on points with second-placed Derby County in the League One table.
And Ogbeta believes the spirit showed by Wanderers got them a deserved reward and bodes well for the remainder of the promotion race to come.
“I'm so happy for the boys. It wasn't an easy game, but these are the games that show your character, show the mentality and we really showed today that we are winners,” said the on-loan wing-back, who was one of the catalysts for Wanderers’ second-half fightback.
“We're going to have games where it doesn't all go your own way but I'm so happy that the lads dug in and fought to the end and I was able to help and play a part.
“We didn't have the best of starts but showed the character to get back into the game and that togetherness until the end of the game was special, so I'm so happy we were able to get this win over the line.
“The fans have been amazing, to make that journey again after it was abandoned the other day. They were so loud it felt like a home game and when the fans are nice and loud it gives us such confidence to keep believing and keep pushing.
“We got the result and I'm so happy for the travelling fans that they witnessed it. They've been amazing for us.”
Ogbeta’s pace and penetration down Wanderers’ left flank was key to the Whites’ rapid start to the second half which brought two goals in an 11-minute spell.
The 22-year-old was delighted to complete a full 90 minutes for the first time since injury curtailed a loan spell at Peterborough United at the end of last season as he took his chance in the starting line-up.
And the Swansea City man – currently sharing the wing-back duties with Zac Ashworth ahead of Randell Williams’ return to the mix – knew the importance of the result as Evatt’s side kicked off a run of three successive away games with a fourth win in seven matches as part of their unbeaten run.
“We needed that,” Ogbeta told Wanderers TV. “We've had quite a few things to go against us lately, but that's football. There are no certainties, there's nothing that is given.
“We have to earn the right and that is what we did today. We earned the right to win. We pushed and we stuck to our principles and the way we play and it got us the result and I'm just so grateful that we got the win today
“It's difficult seeing teams win around us when we have drawn a few games but the gaffer is always saying trust the process and making sure the focus is on us and not what's going on around us.
“At the end of the day only we can only control what we can control and today we did that. We got the win and we're in a great position and we just have to keep pushing.
“We’re unbeaten in quite a few games now, which is important. Even though we may not win every game, the fact we're not losing is a great sign and shows our togetherness.
“There’s a lot of rotation but everyone is hungry to play and that's what we need. We need 22-23 players who are ready to go, because you never know when your moment is going to be to help the team get over the line.
“There are two really big games coming up but again we have to take the same approach. There is no small game. Every game is crucial, every game matters. Today we got over the line and we have to do the same again.”
Watch the full post-match interview with Nat on Wanderers TV.