'We showed mental toughness' - Neil Redfearn on United’s result at Bournemouth
leedsunited.com 17/9/14
Caretaker head coach Neil Redfearn praised his United side after Tuesday night’s result at Bournemouth and insists they showed mental toughness.
United were 1-0 down at the break but they rallied in the second half to put in a superb display to come out 3-1 winners over the south coast side.
“It was an excellent performance,” said the caretaker boss. “It was a great away performance.
“Scoring three goals away from home always takes some doing, especially at Bournemouth.
“I didn’t really see it coming after the first half, I thought Bournemouth were excellent during the first half-an-hour.
“They play 4-4-2 and they get the ball into wide areas and their wingers get balls into the box. They are bright and are inventive from set-plays.
“We were hanging on, we were at full tilt to stay with them. In the end I think that is what got us the result.
“The fact is that we had the mental toughness to tough it out when it was 1-0 and it wasn’t so good for us. I thought that the lads applied themselves really well for the full 90 minutes.”
United’s goalscorers on the evening were Souleymane Doukara, Giuseppe Bellusci and Mirco Antennuci and Redfearn reserved praise for all three.
“It was a well timed run for Souleymane,” said Redfearn. “He kept his composure and he knew where he wanted to it. His execution was different class to be fair to him.
“Giuseppe showed great technique to get the ball up and over the wall like he did to put it in the top corner. He is a tough cookie and he doesn’t give up, he is a warrior and a battler. He plays a little bit closer to the edge but there are a lot of top players like that.
“I thought Mirco was our best player on Tuesday night. I thought his work rate and endeavour were excellent. I thought they all played well but he has got touch and awareness and I think he is underrated.”
It is clear to see that Neil has faith in the ability the United squad possesses.
“The good thing is this mental toughness that is developing,” added Redfearn. “They are doing it as a team.
“Even when they are down in games they know they can get back into it and that is a great trait to have. I still believe the process will be two steps forward and one step back but they are having a right go.
“They are trying to play and they are playing some good stuff. There are two types of bravery, one to throw your body in the way and secondly to be brave to play on the ball. They are doing both.”
Redfearn is now unbeaten in three caretaker matches in charge and he says he loving working with the United squad.
“I feel comfortable in the role,” stated the caretaker head coach . “I love working with players and the lads have responded.
“I want them to play and I want them to have the ball. I want them to shown people how good they are as footballers because they are.
“I’m part of that process and it is great.”
Caretaker head coach Neil Redfearn praised his United side after Tuesday night’s result at Bournemouth and insists they showed mental toughness.
United were 1-0 down at the break but they rallied in the second half to put in a superb display to come out 3-1 winners over the south coast side.
“It was an excellent performance,” said the caretaker boss. “It was a great away performance.
“Scoring three goals away from home always takes some doing, especially at Bournemouth.
“I didn’t really see it coming after the first half, I thought Bournemouth were excellent during the first half-an-hour.
“They play 4-4-2 and they get the ball into wide areas and their wingers get balls into the box. They are bright and are inventive from set-plays.
“We were hanging on, we were at full tilt to stay with them. In the end I think that is what got us the result.
“The fact is that we had the mental toughness to tough it out when it was 1-0 and it wasn’t so good for us. I thought that the lads applied themselves really well for the full 90 minutes.”
United’s goalscorers on the evening were Souleymane Doukara, Giuseppe Bellusci and Mirco Antennuci and Redfearn reserved praise for all three.
“It was a well timed run for Souleymane,” said Redfearn. “He kept his composure and he knew where he wanted to it. His execution was different class to be fair to him.
“Giuseppe showed great technique to get the ball up and over the wall like he did to put it in the top corner. He is a tough cookie and he doesn’t give up, he is a warrior and a battler. He plays a little bit closer to the edge but there are a lot of top players like that.
“I thought Mirco was our best player on Tuesday night. I thought his work rate and endeavour were excellent. I thought they all played well but he has got touch and awareness and I think he is underrated.”
It is clear to see that Neil has faith in the ability the United squad possesses.
“The good thing is this mental toughness that is developing,” added Redfearn. “They are doing it as a team.
“Even when they are down in games they know they can get back into it and that is a great trait to have. I still believe the process will be two steps forward and one step back but they are having a right go.
“They are trying to play and they are playing some good stuff. There are two types of bravery, one to throw your body in the way and secondly to be brave to play on the ball. They are doing both.”
Redfearn is now unbeaten in three caretaker matches in charge and he says he loving working with the United squad.
“I feel comfortable in the role,” stated the caretaker head coach . “I love working with players and the lads have responded.
“I want them to play and I want them to have the ball. I want them to shown people how good they are as footballers because they are.
“I’m part of that process and it is great.”
