Neil McDonald On The Scunthorpe Defeat

Last updated : 06 May 2007 By Thetashkentterror

Blues manager Neil McDonald
United boss Neil McDonald spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Derek Lacey on Saturday evening as he gave his opinion on the 3-0 reverse against Scunthorpe at Glanford Park yesterday. McDonald talking about the need to set the goal as promotion next season :


" It's all about finishing, they've had three chances and they've stuck them in the back of the net, although they've had a couple of chances after that as well. I thought we matched them in the first-half, we probably had three chances to their two chances. Then really we started off slowly in the second-half and they have punished us. They were three poor goals on our behalf, and it's a shame that we've finished off the season with three defeats but it certainly doesn't detract from the fantastic season I think we've had.

" I'm definitely not relieved that the season is all over. I don't think they dominated us, I don't think they outplayed us and that is encouraging. We have to hang on to the fact we were playing the champions today. They have probably deserved their 3-0 victory and they have certainly deserved to win the championship because they have been the best team in the league.

" We look forward to the future because this is in the past now and we have to make sure that we have a good break because I think that everybody has deserved the little bit of a break that they are going to have. Then we have to come back stronger, and fitter, and faster, and we have to try to get a stronger squad to make sure that we compete 100% better than we have this season, even though we have had a magnificent season. Because if you don't you get left behind.

" I'll be speaking to both Karl Hawley and Peter Murphy on Tuesday. He (Peter Murphy) was in the team and has given his all which everybody has and unfortunately it just wasn't good enough today. Karl Hawley was on the bench. I explained to Chris (Lumsdon) that he has probably been our best player over the last three or four games. I know what he can do, he's come through getting a little bit of stick off the crowd, and he's risen to that which is excellent.

" So I just wanted to have a look at Shaun Vipond, he has been offered a two-year contract, he's come on in cameo positions and I just wanted him to have a taste so that he comes back raring to go. I always knew that I was going to play Luke (Joyce) for a around about 30 minutes so that has worked out quite well. That's a taster for both of them, they both want to play in these sort of games, and they certainly want to be involved from the start of the season.

" Hopefully there will be a signing before Tuesday, but I'm not at liberty to tell you that, you'll find out on Monday. We're still talking to a lot of football clubs and a lot of players, and as I say, that will go through all the way probably to the first game of the season next season. The supporters were brilliant and I'm only sorry that we couldn't finish off the season with a win. They've seen that we are trying to improve, and they have seen where we are trying to get to. That's why the numbers have come out to support our team.

" We've competed against the top teams which is excellent. We've had a fantastic home record which has slipped towards the end, then we've improved our away form. We've been beaten by the champions today and that was a good experience for, especially Shaun Vipond, and certain members of the squad as well. This is what, you turn and around and look and think, well I wouldn't mind having those celebrations at the end.

" We must set that goal if we possibly can but it's certainly not going to be easy with the three teams that have come down and the three teams that are coming up as well. You've had promotion in the last two years and we've consolidated past what we thought about survival and that holds good for the future. Because the players have been outstanding all season and they deserve a huge pat on the back, every single one of them. "