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George Johnston is confident Wanderers can quickly shake off their defeat at Walsall as focus shifts back to the main “priority” in League One.
Johnston was frustrated to lose out against the Saddlers after initially taking the lead at the Bescot Stadium.
However, the centre-back insists that the Whites are hungry to bounce back against Stockport at Edgeley Park.
“At the end of the day, the league is the main target and priority this season. But we approach every game to win and put in a good performance, and unfortunately we were on the wrong end of the result,” he reflected.
“We can’t let it affect us and, knowing the lads, I know that it won’t.
“With our performances in the league in recent weeks, that is our main focus and priority. Our motivation is higher than ever going into Stockport.”
Johnston played alongside Will Forrester and Josh Dacres-Cogley in the backline, with Ricardo Santos rested and Eoin Toal unavailable due to injury.
“Cup ties are always different occasions, it has got something about it. It always feels like there is a little bit more in the game, and then rotating the team a little bit,” he added.
“We have been pretty consistent in the last few weeks, but players needed rest and others needed minutes so we were always going to have to do that.
“It is only going to put us in good stead going into Stockport and then the busy Christmas period.”
Wanderers were in front for only a matter of minutes before Liam Gordon got the hosts back on level terms.
“I feel like we dropped off massively after scoring,” Johnston admitted. “It was almost like some of the lads thought the game was over, which is massively disappointing.
“A few lapses in concentration, but what’s happened has happened. The league is our main focus and we have to focus on that now.”
The 26-year-old has played plenty of football recently and had to dig deep in the final stages against the Saddlers as he got another 90 minutes under his belt.
However, he certainly won’t be complaining after having to watch from the sidelines last term while out of action with a knee injury.
“Whenever I step onto the pitch, I am ready to give 110 per cent. I don’t really care if I am tired, I missed 46 league games last season so I just want to play as many as possible now,” Johnston grinned.
“Will (Forrester) needed minutes and Rico needed a rest, I knew coming into this game that would be the case. I just focus on my performance and how I can help the team as much as possible.”
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