We invite you to read the statement of coach John Carver after the sparring match against MFK Karvina, which ended with a 4:3 victory of our team.

Three games, three wins, that means we are ready?

I hope so. To be quite honest, today was a different type of game for us. It was probably the most physical game we’ve had.

I knew that was going to be the case, but in fairness to the guys, they stood up to the physicality of the opposition. There were some ferocious challenges, and obviously they went down to ten men, which helped us a little bit. But we need to know how to manage a game when we’re playing against ten men.

I think we can do a lot better when we are against ten men. But I was impressed with the way we showed the character. We went 1-0 down, got back to 1-1, 2-1 down with a poor goal against, and showed the character to get back.

It’s nice to score a couple of goals from set players, so Rado will be happy tonight. But a different type of game, a physical game, along with good technique from the opposition, a good stand of the team, again, as all the games have been. But a different test today, and I’m so pleased the guys stood up to it.

When you win three games in a winter camp, after the win before the camp, that’s four games now, and that should breed confidence, and that should start giving these guys belief in what they can do, and think that getting out of trouble is achievable. There’s still an awful lot of work to be done, for sure. Obviously the disappointment of losing Ivan is huge for us, but the guys have stepped in and did a job.

We’ve still got one day left of the camp, possibly two, a training day tomorrow and then a gym work before we fly back. The camp’s not over, but I’m really pleased with their attitude, their application in training, in the games, and especially around how they’ve represented the club so well, and people of Gdańsk can be so proud of them, because they’re ultimate professionals, and that’s the type of team I want to be associated with.

And what is the plan for the week in Gdańsk, before the game?

First of all, we’re going to be looking at the weather forecast every single day, and then we’ll just have to wait and see.

Hopefully there won’t be any snow and we’ll be able to get on the grass. But all the hard work and the physical work has been done here, and now it’s preparation for that game next Saturday against Motor Lublin.