Following the 3-1 defeat to Hartlepool United, we spoke to Head Coach Mark Hughes.
Speaking to CUTV, Hughes discussed a difficult tactical test, key moments that proved costly and the need to respond quickly ahead of the trip to Eastleigh.
Here is everything we learnt:
A different type of challenge
“Yeah, we came up against a side that asked different types of questions than we faced probably in the last couple of weeks and on occasions we didn't really have the answers to that. It was a different type of game that we needed to adjust to more quickly. We found them difficult in that opening period.”
A fast start from the hosts caused problems
“Obviously, as the away team, the home team will want to start fast and put you under pressure and that's what they did. Key moments in the game, individual battles, we didn't really deal with as well as we needed to.”
Fine margins in the first-half
“So we found ourselves 1-0 down at half-time without them really creating too many clear-cut chances. They were always dangerous obviously with their ability to hit balls longer and get on their second balls which was a problem for us, but we felt we were very much in the game.”
A tough start to the second-half
“We came out second-half and conceded almost immediately and then not too long after that we lose Harvey to a sending off which I thought was harsh."
The red card proved decisive
“With 10 men on the pitch for us, it was always going to be difficult. At that point it's difficult to really affect the opposition. You try and obviously get bodies and numbers into the box but it's difficult, you're always at risk going the other way.”
Credit to the players for their response
“We got a goal back and credit to the lads, they never let their heads drop. They kept on trying to push and get back in the game. Reegs (Regan Linney) had a chance, Bevis [Mugabi] as well. So you never know, if it had gone in, we might have been able to get something out of the game.”
Defensive details need sharpening
“We just had to deal with 1v1s better than we did. If somebody did get beaten, then we have to adjust and make sure that we've got enough cover, got enough men and numbers around where the ball is going to be. We didn't do that as well as we have done in recent weeks.”
A positive for Georgie
“Important for strikers obviously. I thought Georgie did well, was a handful for them. It was difficult just to really get that foothold in the game that we needed, obviously down to 10 men.”
An injury concern for Elliot Embleton
“He pulled up in training yesterday unfortunately so he's got an issue with his thigh. We don't know how severe it is at the moment but usually they're a little bit problematic.”
Moving on quickly is key
“We need to move on quickly from this one. It wasn't our night tonight. You have that in football. I know from my own experience it's a case you've just got to move quickly on to the next one, which we will.”
