Following the Blues' defeat at Boreham Wood, we spoke to Head Coach Mark Hughes.
Speaking to CUTV after the game, Hughes reflected on a frustrating afternoon in Hertfordshire, assessed his side’s defensive shortcomings and looked ahead to the busy festive period and the upcoming trip to Gateshead.
Here is everything we learnt:
1. A performance below the required level
“We didn’t get where we wanted to get to in terms of a performance today. We were up against a decent side who will play possession football at times and hide the ball from you. You’ve got to pick your moments to affect them. If you go individually they’ll just pick you off.”
2. First-half passivity proved costly
“I just felt in that first-half we were too passive. We weren’t getting close enough to people and weren’t affecting them. As a consequence they were able to get their head up and play the game they want to play.”
3. Poor goals conceded
“The goals themselves are poor from our point of view. The first one’s gone through two players’ legs and we should have done better, with a little bit more pressure on the lad on the outside. From that point we’re trying to get back into the game but they’re quite happy and comfortable to sit back.”
4. Second-half improvement but damage done
“We made a better go of it in the second-half by changing the shape a little bit - from 4-2-3-1 to a narrow diamond - and trying to get more intensity into our work. But the damage was done in the first-half unfortunately.”
5. Defensive standards need to improve
“Our defensive work at the moment isn’t where it needs to be. That’s two games now where we’ve let ourselves down in that regard. And I’m not just talking about the back four or five, I’m talking collectively as a squad.”
6. Lack of attacking impact
“Georgie [Kelly] put in a big effort but was well tied down and our other creative players didn’t really have an impact on the game. Once we went 2-0 down from an attacking sense we were a little bit below where we need to be.”
7. Possession-based opponents pose challenges
“We needed to recognise collectively when we could press and when we couldn’t. When there were challenges and duels they were often able to come out with the ball and carry on creating. We didn’t have the physicality to our play that you need at this level.”
8. Squad availability and injury update
“Harry Lewis, Luke Armstrong and Chris Conn-Clarke were all injured and unavailable.
"Crickey (Conn-Clarke) will be out for four or five weeks, Harry should be okay [for Boxing Day] and Luke should be okay for the next game. But that’s not the reason we got beat today.”
Mark also provided an update on Junior Luamba, stating that the winger will be out of action for 1-2 months.
9. Positives and looking ahead
“It was good to see Elliot Embleton back, getting more minutes and looking sharp. JJ (Jordan Jones) was out there as well so we need to get these players back and give us that quality.
"We’ll review the game like we always do, then pick ourselves up and go again. We’ve got a lot to play for this year and it starts with the next game.”
Hughes also paid tribute to the 641 travelling supporters, admitting disappointment at not delivering a result for them just before Christmas but stressing the need to ensure this type of performance does not become a regular occurrence.
