Yet another frustrating away performance saw us fall 1-0 to Manchester United on Boxing Day, leaving us in the bottom half of the league table.
A first half strike from Patrick Dorgu proved to be the difference, as despite 13 shots on goal and 66% possession we simply couldn’t find the back of the net against a makeshift Man Utd side.
Here’s what the gaffer had to say after just our latest toothless display away from home:
On what went wrong at Old Trafford
After falling behind midway through the first half, we dominated proceedings for the rest of the match.
But similar to what’s been happening all too many times this season, we simply couldn’t capitalise against a defensive system where we were the much better football team on the night.
“I don’t think there was a tactical problem for us at any stage of the game. We are disappointed with the way we defended the goal. Long throws were something we prepared for.
“We are disappointed with our actions in terms of trying to score because we created the chances, put a lot of crosses in their box. The chances were there.
“If we score that equalising goal then that momentum is there with us.
“Second half was a lot better than the first but we didn’t do enough, we have to do more.
“It was not through a lack of effort, we were very dominant in that second period and I thought if we scored we would go on to win.”
On Man Utd’s system switch
Having done the double over Friday’s opponents last season, and coupled with the fact that Man Utd have only kept a single clean sheet in the league this season, we certainly should have delivered a stronger attacking performance than what was served up.
However, Ruben Amorim’s defensive system, alongside an uncharacteristically stellar performance from Dorgu, was our undoing.
“Were we surprised by Amorim’s system? I don’t think so. We started the match well for 15–20 minutes, but after conceding, we didn’t respond effectively.
“At halftime, I was disappointed we hadn’t taken control, because I felt we had the means to do it.”