Hello again!
The result seven days ago against West Ham was hard to take. It was cruel. After being in control for the majority of the game it turned within five or six minutes. It was painful. We deserved more.
When I started in the Premier League as a player there were times when I had to learn the hard way. But I came through it to find success. Winning comes from a set of habits and standards that you show throughout the week that give you the confidence to go out, get performances and, ultimately, win games.
We experienced how powerful that was last season and ended it getting the highest number of points in this football club’s 141 year existence.
There are too many good things happening at this football club to ignore them.
We don’t accept negativity.
I tell the players confidence is not something you wait for. You go and grab it to go again and again and again. For me that’s something we should all do not just in football but also in life and today’s no different.
The message is always - keep going. If you get knocked down - you get back up. That spirit lives within this club and in our dressing room. It’s also a universal theory that never fails.
I’m not saying it’s an easy journey but it’s the journey that makes people who they are, and it is part of our culture.
If we do that, we all keep moving forward.
Today it’s all about the challenge we renew with Sheffield United after they followed us into the Premier League last season.
We welcome Paul Heckingbottom and everyone connected with the club.
Vinny
The Manager's programme notes can be found in today's matchday programme, which is available to purchase at the game or online here.