Every word Southampton interim Rusk said ahead of Liverpool

Happy birthday Simon, how has your week unfolded?

SR: Following the game, the club made a decision, I had a conversation with Phil Parsons and Mark Bitcon just about that there's a change.

They asked would I take care of the upcoming game against Liverpool and prepare the team as best I could? It's been hectic with plenty going on.

But the communication was nice and clear about what was expected and what my role is in the coming days and that's been really helpful.

What is expected in terms of bringing the team together?

SR: I think it's clear to see at the moment that it's a tough run of games coming off the back of another tough run of games but an exciting one coming up.

I think the role for me is to organise a group of staff, organise the players to prepare and perform as well as we can in what's a really exciting game.

How have the players responded to Russell Martin's departure?

SR: The players had a day off which is fairly typical and they stuck to the schedule that was put in place, so I've not had a lot of communication with them yet.

I am really looking forward to it but I've been in the club since the summer, I think they're a really good bunch of guys, a really good bunch of professionals.

In the timescale I'll be working with them, I'm comfortable that they're a really good bunch of professionals and they'll get around their job in front of them.

You have typically played a back four, how will you set up for this one?

SR: I think the nature of the turnaround in gametime presents its challenges from that perspective.

My job, like any coach, is to assess what the next game is, assess the group that's available to play and come up with a game plan which is most suitable.

I've, you know, done that for a long time with good experience in preparing teams and working with lots of different types of players in different ways.

I'm looking forward to preparing the team and I'm confident we'll have a good go.

One of the concerns has been defensive, how will you prepare the team? 

SR: I will need to use my experience and the staff and, look at what I do have, I work at a club that's got an excellent infrastructure.

I've got great support around me, I've got some very good senior players within that group and I've been reflecting and watching the games.

I will have my own ideas on what I think is best for the group but I'll work with them on that, I think communication is key in all aspects.

I think, for me, working together with the players and establishing that very quickly and, of course, I'm going to be looking at the strengths of the team.

I'm going to be working with them on the things that we think can be better and in a very short space of time which puts us in the best possible position to perform.

Do you want to be in the mix to replace Russell Martin?

SR: No, it's very clear to me that I'm a believer in staying present as best you can and the present for me at the moment is preparing the team to play.

I think the communication has been ongoing and excellent within the club and the best thing I can do at this moment in time is to prepare the team as best I can.

What falls out at the end of that will fall out, you know. I've been in the game long enough to see this, I've been through change before at a football club.

My only focus at the minute is supporting the players as best I can and seeing what comes of that. I came to the club to work with the under-21s team.

We've seen this year already there's been some exciting talents that have come out of that group and my role will always be to try and create that pathway.

That's how I influence the first team and get some positive results so that's my focus and that will remain my focus until I'm told otherwise.

What have you been talking about at the club ahead of Fulham at the weekend?

SR: Nothing at all. I am solely focusing on the Liverpool game and I'm sure once that one's out of the way there will be communication.

The communication has been really clear and really respectful and that will become clearer again after the Liverpool game.

Even with your previous experience, is facing Liverpool like this up there in your career?

SR: Yeah, absolutely. I think we are working to prepare against, you know, one of the informed teams, arguably, in the world, in Europe.

So that speaks for itself and for me, ultimately, I'd like to focus on the process. I won't become over-emotional in any aspect as a coach.

Where are the players at physically, mentally, and emotionally? What's the opponent's strength? What's the weaknesses? And I just stick to that process.

Of course, what I would say is it's a great honour. I've worked at the club since the summer. I think it's got a great tradition.

The fan base is super committed and loyal and they'll be eyeing the players. For me, concentrating on that as my focus is the right professional thing to do.

I'm sure there's a period of reflection after and it will be a proud moment for me. It's an honour to represent the club and guide them into such an important game.

Can the players take confidence from the last Liverpool match?

SR: Yeah, that's the challenge, that one, isn't it? When we analysed the game, in particular, it wasn't too long ago the first team played against Liverpool.

So, of course, there'll be aspects of that that we'll want to retain and we'll want to keep a footprint within that performance.

But we're in a different moment right now and I think we'll be aware of the need to prepare in the most intelligent way possible and most diligent way possible.

Strengths from that game. Areas that could have been better. But they do say no plan survives first contact with the enemy. But we'll be ready. 

Have you got any fresh players returning from injury?

SR: There are no fresh injuries that I'm aware of. I think as is normal in such a quick turnaround of games, there'll be things that are still being assessed.

That's an ongoing situation. I'm sure before Liverpool and post-Liverpool we'll hopefully get some news on them guys that might be close.

Will your experiences at Brighton and England's youth stand you in good stead?

SR: I think all experiences are useful. I think I've had a very eclectic set of experiences in my career, both playing and coaching.

I've worked at most levels of the game in the pyramid, in England and Scotland. All of those experiences now I'll be drawing upon to help the players.

That is my focus. Of course, I have a passion about development, development of young football players. It's something that's in my heart.

But equally in the times I've worked within the senior game, you know, Brighton, Stockport, Dundee, you know, working at first-team level.

Whether you're working with a 16 year old lad or a 35 year old coming to the end of a career. It's about driving and supporting them in the best way possible.

Are there any players on the fringes of Martin's squad at the forefront of yours?

SR: My experience in development is about avoiding naming names and not creating pressure for young players that perhaps aren't quite ready for that.

So, in principle, yeah, we have got, you know, one or two players which, you know, I'm very optimistic about what the future may hold for them.

Equally, there are a lot of variables with getting to the top of professional football. But I think we can be really optimistic about that.

The club is very progressive in terms of their outlook to sign young talent and also, more importantly in some respects, bring it through our own groups.

I think we can be optimistic about that over the next 18 months and everyone will be turning the screw on myself and the staff to make sure that we can deliver.

What did your experience at Stockport teach you about yourself? 

SR: Yeah, lots. I'm quite a process-driven person. Every scenario has its challenges. Some are easier. When you're first-team you have a responsibility for the result.

At the risk of avoiding cliches, I'm not pinning too much on what an outcome might be tomorrow and avoiding the process.

I think it's really important as a coach to look at your process, to look at your work, and if them bits are right, my experience is you won't be far away from result.

I think that experience helped me form my belief system, you know, supporting players and preparing a team to win games of football.

That's the nature of the industry we're in, winning games of football, and it's an amazing thing, winning games of football.

But you also learn about yourself when perhaps you don't get the results that sometimes you deserve or may not deserve. This will be another period of growth.

Selfishly for me, it will be growth the same as the other periods in my career,and I think when you reflect upon that, it's about keep moving forwards.

Who will be joining you in the dugout tomorrow? 

SR: As it stands now, obviously Russ and Matt Gill have moved on. But with the support staff, there's a good continuity at the club.

I think one of the advantages of working at a club like Southampton is, you know, that the infrastructure is strong and the support for me is excellent.

I have a good relationship with all the guys there so that's a strength for the players. Hopefully, it will be as seamless as possible and there isn't too much change.