Gutted - Gaffer's reaction
leedsunited.com
Brian McDermott reflects on Wednesday's late defeat at Reading...
United manager Brian McDermott spoke of his disappointment after Wednesday’s late, late defeat at Reading.
Adam Le Fondre scored the only goal of the game – six minutes into stoppage time – after Stephen Warnock had been sent-off for a second yellow card.
It was a cruel ending from a game that looked destined to end in a 0-0 draw.
“I felt gutted,” said the boss. “It was a draw for definite and maybe a game we could have won.
“We had an opportunity ourselves just before their goal and if that goes in, we’ve won the game. Where the extra 2 minutes of stoppage time came from I don’t know, but they did, and this happens.
“We shouldn’t have given away the free-kick, Stephen put his hands up straight away and apologised, and we should have defended the free-kick better.
“I was gutted for the fans. They were tremendous and didn’t deserve that right at the very end.”
It was the manager’s first return to the club where he lost his job earlier this year, and the evening had started on the wrong foot when the team were delayed in traffic and didn’t arrive until 45 minutes before kick-off, but the boss was pragmatic in defeat.
“It was difficult,” said the boss. “We were late getting here, but I wanted to come and win the game. We spoke at half-time about getting on the ball more, and we did. We created more and I felt we could win it 1-0 and at worst get a draw, but you take these things on the chin.
“One result like that doesn't change what we’re trying to do. We're trying to evolve as a group. It won't shape our season. You can wallow for as long as you like. They'll be pleased with themselves, we're disappointed, but we’ll get on.”
Brian McDermott reflects on Wednesday's late defeat at Reading...
United manager Brian McDermott spoke of his disappointment after Wednesday’s late, late defeat at Reading.
Adam Le Fondre scored the only goal of the game – six minutes into stoppage time – after Stephen Warnock had been sent-off for a second yellow card.
It was a cruel ending from a game that looked destined to end in a 0-0 draw.
“I felt gutted,” said the boss. “It was a draw for definite and maybe a game we could have won.
“We had an opportunity ourselves just before their goal and if that goes in, we’ve won the game. Where the extra 2 minutes of stoppage time came from I don’t know, but they did, and this happens.
“We shouldn’t have given away the free-kick, Stephen put his hands up straight away and apologised, and we should have defended the free-kick better.
“I was gutted for the fans. They were tremendous and didn’t deserve that right at the very end.”
It was the manager’s first return to the club where he lost his job earlier this year, and the evening had started on the wrong foot when the team were delayed in traffic and didn’t arrive until 45 minutes before kick-off, but the boss was pragmatic in defeat.
“It was difficult,” said the boss. “We were late getting here, but I wanted to come and win the game. We spoke at half-time about getting on the ball more, and we did. We created more and I felt we could win it 1-0 and at worst get a draw, but you take these things on the chin.
“One result like that doesn't change what we’re trying to do. We're trying to evolve as a group. It won't shape our season. You can wallow for as long as you like. They'll be pleased with themselves, we're disappointed, but we’ll get on.”