Reaction From Magpies Boss Craig Short

Last updated : 10 October 2010 By Thetashkentterror

Magpies boss Craig Short
County manager Craig Short spoke to BBC Radio Nottingham and his club's official website after the Magpies lost 1-0 against Carlisle at Brunton Park, Short extremely disappointed that County didn't take anything out of the match :


" It is a few bitter pills now, the same after the Charlton game, after the Sheffield Wednesday game to a certain extent because we played so well, that is probably the next level of performance I thought today. We have played so well against a team that has been doing well at home. I got angry in there afterwards, but it is not angry at the lads, I am angry for them.

" We have played some exceptional stuff today, probably the best football of our season. The formation that we played, the diamond to match up against their diamond, helps you play a bit more football through the middle. But, every player, one to eleven, I pat them all on the back, some very, very good individual performances but as a team we were exceptional and we didn't get what we deserved.

" I know the hardest thing to do in a game is put the ball in the back of the net and we often say that we've not been keeping clean sheets, but we should be taking the pressure off the back four really. We had some great opportunities and I can't fault them, because we should have been going in there saying we'd won.

" I know people are getting sick of hearing that but you have seen the game, and to be fair and give credit to Carlisle they did defend well, but we had enough to be out of sight. I'd rather settle now for a really scrappy game and win in the 92nd minute with one.

" I suppose in the Yeovil game we crushed Yeovil didn't we when we only had five chances and scored four. Leyton Orient we looked rampant against Leyton Orient, we played some great football at Wolves obviously, and Peterborough was great. "



" So, the lads are now accustomed to this level, there is nothing to fear but we should be looking at the top four or five now the way we have been playing and not looking down at the bottom four. I just want them to keep faith and keep their confidence, because they shouldn't lose that because they have been doing so well for me lately.

" There is not much more I can say to them, they have just got to get a little bit more luck and be a bit more clinical and obviously keep a clean sheet. But, we defended well today and we didn't really have a threat until after they scored, then they were hitting on us the break because we were pushing for a goal and Burchy (Rob Burch) made a couple of saves.

" But one to eleven today the players were exceptional for me and I can't ask for much more, a little bit of luck, a finish and a goal. Mike Edwards hit the bar, and it comes back and Krystian (Pearce) could have had the rebound, Kevin Smith early on, I lost count of the chances.

" We looked creative, we looked great in midfield, (Ricky) Ravenhill and Ben Davies starting things off for us, Kevin Smith, (Craig) Westcarr was always a threat, Karl Hawley. We didn't probably test their keeper (Adam Collin) and make him make enough saves.

" They got a lot of good blocks in but I just don't know what to say sometimes, you try everything, what else could we do today? We have just got to score goals and it is OK saying after the game how well we have played, we have just got to turn these performances into wins. "



" John Spicer did very well, he did very well, he came in in the Wolves game, because we don't have a side in the reserve league they don't get many chances to keep their fitness levels up. But, John has come in and he has performed well.

" John Thompson again was magnificent at right-back, he has got a great attitude and is a good leader. He was involved so much today, getting forward in the first-half and he defended very well against a very tricky opponent. He has been very, very consistent but they all have.

" You can see them all now, their heads are down, it is a long journey home. They didn't get much sleep last night, there were some dogs in our hotel, the food was rubbish last night. It is no excuse but things went against them, last night I think the hotel was an absolute shambles, one of the worst I have been in.

" I was woken up early this morning by dogs barking, that is crazy in a hotel, and some of the players were. So, that is no excuse but as a manager you want your players to give you everything and I can't fault them for that. They have been in the last few weeks, since the Bournemouth debacle really, we got lucky there, since then I can't really have any complaints.