Manager Graham Alexander provided his reaction to iFollow Iron after the 2-0 away defeat at Rotherham United.
Though disappointed to lose, Alexander was pleased with the performance of his side, who fell to defeat after goals in either half from Will Vaulks and Kieffer Moore.
ON THE GAME…
GA: We’re devastated at the result because I don’t feel we deserved to lose, but I’m really proud of the way the team played. We worked a lot on what we wanted to do this week (in training) and you could see it in the performance. It was first class on the ball, we played some really good, incisive positive football, created numerous opportunities and chances, and you have to score – it’s as simple as that. We have to keep knocking on the door. If we start to try different things we don’t get those opportunities so we have to improve on the things we can. Take the two goals out and I feel we were the better team, so we have to take the positives from the performance and build on them. We do have to start sticking the ball in the net though – we can’t continue to create so many good opportunities, and not score. What we saw was commitment from the team and players to play our way. We’ve won games not playing as well as that, so we have to find the finishing edge.
ON THE GOALS…
GA: We’re disappointed with the two goals, and letting one in from another set-piece – that’s something we can improve on. When you’re committing forward you’re always susceptible to a goal on the break, which is what the second was. What we have to do is get that first goal and build on it. I’m proud of the players’ performance and we just have to keep doing it.
ON ANDREW CROFTS’ DEBUT…
GA: He struggled at first with the tempo of it, having not played a game for quite a while. Once he settled into it and calmed down, he showed his qualities. He’s tenacious off the ball and can use the ball well, making angles and continuing our play from back to front. I felt he and Funso Ojo played really well in there. It’s been difficult for him, with not being able to play a game so far, but he was part of a very good performance today.
ON CONOR TOWNSEND RETURNING TO THE TEAM…
GA: That was a tough decision as well, because Lewis Butroid has played really well. I’m proud of what he’s shown and he is a fierce competitor for the left-back position. I just felt this was the right way to go on the day and he performed well.
ON WHETHER TOM HOPPER WILL BE FIT FOR MIDWEEK…
GA: Tom is still feeling the after-effects of going over his ankle last week so we’ll see how he is on Monday, and then see if he can contribute and play a part on Tuesday. Unless Hops is available, it will be the same squad as today. There are no other lads returning from injury, and I don’t think we have any fresh concerns injury-wise. The performance of the team was very good so I’m happy to have the same players available.
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