00:00 How do you feel about the result?
00:28 "Tough result for us. It could have been very different. Early stages of the game we had
00:35 some good chances, different moments of the game we also had some other good chances,
00:39 didn't take them. The goals we conceded were, especially the first one, a tough one."
00:44 Where did it go wrong from that point on?
00:54 "I would probably say the first goal is always a key moment in any Premier League game and
00:59 I think that probably dented our confidence, especially after last week. So I think not
01:05 just the goal but the manner of the goal, it was messy from our perspective. From then
01:10 on I think the game was probably not the game we wanted it to be. The second goal probably
01:19 again comes at our best moment where we are fighting our way back into the game. The subs
01:22 had come on and made a difference and then out of nothing they score again."
01:25 Do you have concerns about playing three games?
01:28 "I think I'm very realistic, Greg. I think of course there's concerns when you're not
01:34 winning and we've lost three games in a row so I'm not naive to that. But then you have
01:38 to look at factors and reasons and the fixture list was very tough for us. I think my job
01:45 is to be very calm, analyse where we can get better and then go to work and try and do
01:51 it."
01:52 Is it one area you've got to look at helping midfielders?
02:00 "I think it's in its infancy. I don't think that has to be noted. I don't think it's necessarily
02:04 a criticism of any one of those players but it's a new look midfield and it takes time
02:11 to build the relationships where it's automatic what we do and individually they're all top,
02:17 top players. I think we're missing Joe Willock who's a big miss in terms of energy. Joey
02:26 was probably, he declared himself fit yesterday but he was probably not at 100 per cent with
02:33 that knee problem that he had. So I think there are mitigating circumstances."
02:38 Will the team be better back in the first half?
02:44 "I don't think initially. I think if we'd have started really badly you'd probably say
02:48 yes. But I saw a reaction, a positive reaction early in the game and I thought we were in
02:51 a really good place. One of those chances goes in, it might be a totally different game.
02:56 As always the game hinges on moments and the last two games we've just been on the wrong
03:01 end of it. We've had presentable chances, we haven't taken them and we've contributed
03:04 to our own downfall with some of the goals we've conceded. So as always the power is
03:09 in our hands to change it and that's what we have to try and do."
03:12 Will the international break come at a decent time?
03:26 "It's a difficult one because the majority of the players won't be here so I'll be working
03:31 with a lot smaller group. Has it come at a good time? I don't know. I'd like a game pretty
03:36 quickly to be honest if I could. But it is what it is. We know what games we have to
03:42 come, we have some great games to come and we're looking forward to that challenge. But
03:45 I think the challenge for me is to lift everybody and keep our confidence levels because we
03:50 are a very good team and we have to always have that in the back of our minds as we go
03:55 into the next two weeks."
03:56 Will the league be harder when you've got a squad like that?
04:04 "In a way it does because they've been unbelievable for us today and they were right from the
04:09 start to the end. You then feel... I can't quite describe the emotion but it was a very
04:17 difficult thing because you want to thank them for coming, you want to thank them for
04:21 what they've given us and we haven't displayed the right characteristics back. But you have
04:27 to front it up, we have to front it up when we're good, we have to front it up when we're
04:30 not so good and that's part and parcel of our job."
04:32 Will the game be a bit more of a performance than a win?
04:46 "I think that will be the natural reaction from maybe outside but certainly not inside.
04:52 Inside I think you can lose any game in the Premier League. We've lost three in a row
04:57 and we have to take responsibility for that. But they've all been very different. The Manchester
05:01 City game was very tight, I don't think we were great but it was a very tight margin.
05:06 Liverpool game, anyone who watched that would say we were excellent for a half and we lost
05:11 the game we should have won in my opinion. Today hinged on moments and we were on the
05:15 wrong side of it and that's the reality. So I think as I say it's important that I don't
05:20 overreact and I know from the supporters that were with us today, stayed with us through
05:26 right to the end and that means so much."
05:27 Joe Higgins has had a setback with his Achilles injury, so not related to his hamstring problem.
05:47 So I think he'll be missing for around six weeks.
05:49 How do you expect him to be back after a break?
05:54 Unknown to be honest, I don't know. There was hope that he might be fit for this game
05:58 but then he didn't feel too good yesterday. So he was ruled out and we'll see how quickly
06:03 he improves.
06:04 Lewis Hall is building his fitness?
06:10 Yeah, Lewis is building his fitness I'd say. So no, there was no temptation to start him
06:14 because he was starting from zero with us really having not played pre-season. But we're
06:18 building him up nicely and he's done very well.
06:20 What about an opposing player?
06:34 Yeah, I think he took his goals very well but as you say it's difficult for me to talk
06:38 about an opposing player.
06:40 What's the next game like?
06:48 Well I think the only response you want really is the next game. Obviously the next training
06:53 session you want to see a focus and you want to see a determination to get that result
06:57 out of our system and look to the future.
07:01 Changing rooms can be a very easy place to talk if it doesn't really mean too much. The
07:05 lads were very disappointed and I think collectively we've got an outstanding group of individuals,
07:11 great mentalities and we know what we've got to do.
07:13 How difficult is the Premier League?
07:22 Yeah, it's never been lost on me how difficult the Premier League is. I know how tough a
07:27 league it is. It's ruthless. So if you look and get your focus swayed you're going to
07:33 have big problems. I don't think our focus has been. We've tried to very much concentrate
07:37 on our next match. That will always be our focus and we're determined to be successful
07:43 in the league this year and win as many games as possible.
07:47 But we know the demands placed upon us are going to be extreme so this is a warning I
07:51 think that we can't be swayed and the Premier League is a very tough division.
07:55 There's a range of emotions going through me today but it's best for me to keep them
08:07 to myself.
08:08 Thank you everybody. Cheers.
08:28 Cheers.
08:29 Cheers.
08:36 Cheers.
08:43 Cheers.
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