Hill's post-Solihull reaction

First team manager Keith Hill spoke to Iron Player following his team's 4-3 home loss to Solihull Moors.

The gaffer said: “You do feel a disappointment in the result. However, there were a lot of aspects of the game which I was really pleased with, especially in the first half - not just the shape in possession, but the shape out of possession."

On the two goals before half-time, he said: “One was a stunning strike, and then it was disappointing to concede from a set play again. In the second half we managed the opponents, but we end up making bad decisions as individual players, and as units.”

"There’s a big stigma surrounding going 3-0 up and losing 4-3. We lost 4-3 because of ourselves, there’s no question about it. Other than the first goal, which is an amazing strike, we should have dealt with the game better.” 

Hill added: “Their third goal reads offside. It’s a well taken goal, but it’s offside, and it’s as simple as that. There’s a bit of a block on the second goal which should have been taken care of, and we have made the players aware of that."

On going forward, the boss said: “There’s got to be a certain amount of self-reflection, and the lads have to pick themselves up. They are ambitious, and they have got motivation. They’ll be sick just as I’m sick, and the fans are sick, but it’s the industry that we’re in.

“You have to suffer the lows, and enjoy the highs, and it’s those highs that get you up every day to do better. That’s what we’re going to do, we’re going to work hard.” 

The first team manager finished by discussing injuries, adding: “We have got one or two fatigue injuries. Kgosi (Ntlhe) had to come off with a tight calf. I don’t want to take too many risks on him, although I do think he was excellent for most of the first half. It was a difficult ask for Mase [O’Malley] to come on when we were under a bit of pressure, but it’s the squad of players that we’ve got to work with, and I’m happy working with those players.

“I can’t put too much pressure on them, and I can’t ask them to keep doing something, I’ve got to show them and teach them. I have to hope they learn from the valuable lessons of the opponents that we’re playing against.” 

See much more from Keith Hill and Joe Nuttall on Iron Player.