No room for complacency - Assistant head coach Steve Thompson
leedsunited.com 18/2/15
Assistant head coach Steve Thompson says "confidence is high" within the squad but insists there will be no room for complacency despite impressive recent results.
Thompson, who joined Neil Redfearn’s backroom staff midway through December, has helped oversee a dramatic turn in form which has seen United climb to 12th in the Championship table following four wins from five.
"The confidence is high after some good wins," said Thompson. "We’re under no illusions that we’re on a good run but we won’t change.
"We’ve got to make sure that we don’t slip back down there, we’ve got to be looking forward.
"We’re playing quite well at the moment and we’re creating chances, we’ve just got to make sure that we’re killing teams off.
"There’s a good atmosphere around the place and a good work ethic.
"The team is gradually gelling together and it’s a start for us."
Thompson’s impact since arriving at Thorp Arch from Huddersfield Town has not gone unnoticed, with Luke Murphy crediting the assistant as a big factor in his recent resurgence.
Thompson said: "I try and keep as many problems away from Redders as I can, that’s what a number two does.
"I work on players. I’ve said that to the lads – I’ll stay all afternoon.
"Murph was one – I’ve always rated him. He listens, he’s got great potential and he’s getting his rewards now for hard work.
"And I still think there’s more to come. That’s what it’s like with everyone.
"We’ve got a good bunch of lads – they’re buying into what myself and the manager tell them.
"It’s good at the moment, we’ve got some good players here."
United’s Under-21s battled out a 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday afternoon and Thompson, who was present in the Elland Road dug-out, was encouraged by the second-half display.
"The second half was a lot better than the first. In the first half we had no intensity, we just looked lethargic and everything was one-paced," he said.
"We got the expectations into them at half-time – play with a tempo and quick passing, driving through the thirds. It was better in the second half.
"We had some young lads out there and some lads who needed it for different reasons. It was a good workout and a good 90 minutes because you can’t replicate that in training.
"But I’ll take the positives out of the second half more than the first."
Assistant head coach Steve Thompson says "confidence is high" within the squad but insists there will be no room for complacency despite impressive recent results.
Thompson, who joined Neil Redfearn’s backroom staff midway through December, has helped oversee a dramatic turn in form which has seen United climb to 12th in the Championship table following four wins from five.
"The confidence is high after some good wins," said Thompson. "We’re under no illusions that we’re on a good run but we won’t change.
"We’ve got to make sure that we don’t slip back down there, we’ve got to be looking forward.
"We’re playing quite well at the moment and we’re creating chances, we’ve just got to make sure that we’re killing teams off.
"There’s a good atmosphere around the place and a good work ethic.
"The team is gradually gelling together and it’s a start for us."
Thompson’s impact since arriving at Thorp Arch from Huddersfield Town has not gone unnoticed, with Luke Murphy crediting the assistant as a big factor in his recent resurgence.
Thompson said: "I try and keep as many problems away from Redders as I can, that’s what a number two does.
"I work on players. I’ve said that to the lads – I’ll stay all afternoon.
"Murph was one – I’ve always rated him. He listens, he’s got great potential and he’s getting his rewards now for hard work.
"And I still think there’s more to come. That’s what it’s like with everyone.
"We’ve got a good bunch of lads – they’re buying into what myself and the manager tell them.
"It’s good at the moment, we’ve got some good players here."
United’s Under-21s battled out a 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday afternoon and Thompson, who was present in the Elland Road dug-out, was encouraged by the second-half display.
"The second half was a lot better than the first. In the first half we had no intensity, we just looked lethargic and everything was one-paced," he said.
"We got the expectations into them at half-time – play with a tempo and quick passing, driving through the thirds. It was better in the second half.
"We had some young lads out there and some lads who needed it for different reasons. It was a good workout and a good 90 minutes because you can’t replicate that in training.
"But I’ll take the positives out of the second half more than the first."
