United's resilience pleases Redfearn
leedsunited.com 14/2/15
Neil Redfearn was delighted with his side’s resilience following the 1-0 win over Millwall – a game in which the head coach admitted United needed to "scrap it out" to secure the three points.
Alex Mowatt’s first-half free-kick proved to be the difference at Elland Road, despite a number of nervy moments in the second half as the visitors pressed for an equaliser.
But the United defence held firm and could have added to the scoreline themselves as Scott Wootton, Sam Byram and Steve Morison all came close to making it two.
"It was a tough game - we had to scrap it out in the end," said Redfearn.
"I thought we were brilliant in the first half, I thought we murdered them but we didn’t put it away.
"At 1-0, they had a chance but there’s a resilience about us now, you can see that – our goals against is gradually improving bit by bit.
"We look like a tough Championship side to beat."
United have now won four of the last five league games and have suffered Championship defeat just once in 2015, a run which has seen Redfearn’s side climb to 12th in the table.
"We’re on a good run and they’re getting confidence from it," said the head coach. "In the last couple of performances, we’ve toughed it out.
"We’ve been difficult to play against. This was always going to be a tough game for us today, just the magnitude of it.
"It’s built up in the press as a six-pointer but we know there’s a lot of football to play yet. We did what we needed to do today.
"If we’d have been two or three-nil up at half-time, I don’t think it would have been unfair because of how we played in the first half.
"In the second half, we have to give them credit as well. He changed it around and they came into it.
"It was always going to be a nervy, jittery affair at 1-0 but I just think there’s a real resoluteness about us now."
Redfearn also praised the importance of Steve Morison to his team, with the striker putting in yet another tireless performance despite still being in search of his first goal of the season.
On Morison, Redfearn said: "What he needs is one to go in off his backside – a scruffy one. But he’s a big plus for us.
"There aren’t many good, big target men out there but he leads the line well and he’s mobile.
"He holds onto the ball and brings people into the game. He’s aware and he’s got a good touch for a big man.
"I thought he was excellent today."
Neil Redfearn was delighted with his side’s resilience following the 1-0 win over Millwall – a game in which the head coach admitted United needed to "scrap it out" to secure the three points.
Alex Mowatt’s first-half free-kick proved to be the difference at Elland Road, despite a number of nervy moments in the second half as the visitors pressed for an equaliser.
But the United defence held firm and could have added to the scoreline themselves as Scott Wootton, Sam Byram and Steve Morison all came close to making it two.
"It was a tough game - we had to scrap it out in the end," said Redfearn.
"I thought we were brilliant in the first half, I thought we murdered them but we didn’t put it away.
"At 1-0, they had a chance but there’s a resilience about us now, you can see that – our goals against is gradually improving bit by bit.
"We look like a tough Championship side to beat."
United have now won four of the last five league games and have suffered Championship defeat just once in 2015, a run which has seen Redfearn’s side climb to 12th in the table.
"We’re on a good run and they’re getting confidence from it," said the head coach. "In the last couple of performances, we’ve toughed it out.
"We’ve been difficult to play against. This was always going to be a tough game for us today, just the magnitude of it.
"It’s built up in the press as a six-pointer but we know there’s a lot of football to play yet. We did what we needed to do today.
"If we’d have been two or three-nil up at half-time, I don’t think it would have been unfair because of how we played in the first half.
"In the second half, we have to give them credit as well. He changed it around and they came into it.
"It was always going to be a nervy, jittery affair at 1-0 but I just think there’s a real resoluteness about us now."
Redfearn also praised the importance of Steve Morison to his team, with the striker putting in yet another tireless performance despite still being in search of his first goal of the season.
On Morison, Redfearn said: "What he needs is one to go in off his backside – a scruffy one. But he’s a big plus for us.
"There aren’t many good, big target men out there but he leads the line well and he’s mobile.
"He holds onto the ball and brings people into the game. He’s aware and he’s got a good touch for a big man.
"I thought he was excellent today."