After the game at Oxford, Ryan Yates heaped praise upon the Iron’s first-half performance but believes that they need to be more ruthless when taking their chances.
The 20-year-old was awarded the man-of-the-match trophy by Sky Sports at the end of Friday’s 1-1 draw with Oxford.
Despite having penalty claims denied, Yates believes United should have been leading by more than one goal at half-time.
He discussed this, Ivan Toney’s goal and working with the interim managerial team in an interview with iFollow Iron.
ON THE IRON’S PERFORMANCE…
RY: I thought we were really good in the first-half. We were moving the ball brilliantly. In fact, we probably moved the ball in the best way since I arrived. We were penetrative with our passes, made really good runs and got the first goal. I thought that more were going to come but we didn’t take our chances and needed to be a bit more ruthless. It didn’t feel like we were on the front foot in the second-half. They were winning a few more second balls and then they got their goal. We couldn’t get through them in the end.
ON HOW IMPRESSIVE THE FIRST-HALF PERFORMANCE WAS…
RY: We just had so much energy. Also, we had a purpose with everything that we were doing. Everyone wanted the ball and we were shifting it really nicely. Every time that I had the ball, I would have two or three options. That felt really good. We were breaking the lines and creating chances which is very good.
ON THE GOAL…
RY: It was a really impressive passing move and a really good finish by Ivan (Toney). It was really good anticipation to be there and bang it into the net. That’s his game.
ON THE PENALTY DECISIONS…
RY: We had chances to win the game and if we had gone into half-time 3-0 up I don’t think anyone would have complained, given our performance. We had chances aside from the decisions which have probably gone against us. However, we just have to focus and make sure to take our chances next time.
ON WHETHER THE RESULT WAS A FAIR REFLECTION OF THE IRON’S PERFORMANCE…
RY: If you look at the game over 90 minutes we did deserve the three points. We needed to be more ruthless, especially in the first-half. However, sometimes that happens. The ‘keeper made a few good saves too but you just have to try and work hard and put it right next time.
ON THE WEEK’S PREPARATION UNDER NICK DAWS AND ANDY DAWSON…
RY: The lads are just getting their heads down and enjoying the game. We are really focused and trying to get the maximum amount of points from the games. Unfortunately, it was only a point on Friday but hopefully it can kick us on and we can have a positive performance on Monday. We just have to take every game as it comes and it is another game at Glanford Park.
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