Tom Miller on the Plymouth away game
We caught up with defender Tom Miller after the Plymouth away game on Saturday to get his thoughts on what had been a disappointing defeat.“I thought we were the better team and we had some good chances,” he said. “A few of the decisions didn’t go our way and that doesn’t help. I haven’t seen it back but I didn’t think Reggie Lambe’s goal was offside and I don’t think Jabo [Ibehre] handled his goal.
“The penalty award was suspect, but these things happen. Overall we’ve got to stop conceding the goals we’re letting in because we’re just killing ourselves. We had a talk in the dressing room at full time about it and it got quite heated, but so it should be.
“We’re in a good position and we don’t want to throw it away at this stage. We’re more than good enough and we’re outplaying teams at the top of the division, so it’s just really frustrating at the moment.
“Everyone in that dressing room is gutted but we need to pick ourselves up and sort it out quickly because the games are running out for us.”
Speaking more about the mistakes which have led to the team being punished, he said: “We’ve just said in the dressing room that we don’t think this is something new. We had a bit of luck earlier in the season where we got away with things, and it’s something we’ve got to iron out.
“It’s nothing to do with a tactical approach or the formations we use or anything like that. It’s just individual errors and that’s bound to be frustrating. Nobody means to do it deliberately, obviously, and none of us want to intentionally make mistakes. However, if we want to get promoted from this league – which we should do, because we’re more than good enough – then we need to cut it out.”
When pushed on the penalty decision given against United just before the half time break, he told us: “It just looks like a big, strong centre half who has used his body well to me. The ball dipped with the wind but he headed it and, for me, it wasn’t a penalty.
“Bris [Shaun Brisley] is an honest lad and he’s said the same thing. I thought there were quite a few bad decisions for both sides. We weren’t given things we should have had but, like I say, these things happen and all we can do is move on to the next one now.”
When asked if confidence could take a bit of a knock off the back of the current run, he said: “It could, but I’d say that if it does then we’re not as strong as we should be. If you’re third in the table at this stage of the season it’s because you’re a strong group of characters.
“We just need to stick to what we’ve been doing all season and go again. Mentally football is difficult anyway but individually and as a group we’ve got to pick ourselves up, get our heads down, and do what we’ve got to do.
“In terms of creating chances they’re still coming and that’s important. We had three goals disallowed in this game so that shows we’re getting into the right areas. One was definitely offside - but there’s an argument for us getting the other two.
“We’ve got some of the best delivery in the league with Nicky Adams and Danny Grainger so the chances will always be there. It’s just about making sure we take them so that we stop giving ourselves an uphill climb in every game.
“I know we’ll get our heads together this week and make sure we do sort it out. I’ve been in a couple of dressing rooms over the years and this is by far the best one I’ve seen. It needs to get promoted when you look at the individual players we’ve got, because it makes a really good side as a collective.”
And on his return to the starting line up, he said: “I’ve talked to the gaffer a little bit and I know he left me out a couple of times as a bit of a wake-up call. It’s a challenge I’ve relished and I’ve been getting my head down and working hard.
“We’re a group here and I completely understand that. I won’t deny it was frustrating, because all I want to do is play. That means when you get given an opportunity you have got to take it with both hands. I felt I gave a good account of myself when I came on against Portsmouth and I thought that was the same today.
“I obviously want to stay in the team but it’s about getting results. Hopefully I’ll do whatever I can while I’m on the pitch to help us get promoted.
“Cambridge are next up and we want to beat them. I’m from that area and I know a few of their players, so it’ll be good to go up against them. If we’re on our game I know we’re more than capable of getting the result.”
United PlayerHD subscribers can see an interview with Tom Miller now. Click HERE to go to the PlayerHD platform. Follow the same link for more information on United PlayerHD, and to subscribe.
