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Hurst: Some Distance Off the Level I Want But Far From Everything Was Wrong at Rotherham
Monday, 13th Aug 2018 13:02

Town boss Paul Hurst says the Blues are some distance off the level he is ultimately looking for but still believed Saturday’s performance at Rotherham should have been good enough to win the game having reviewed the match earlier today.

“I’ve watched it back this morning and not much changed in truth from what I thought on the day,” he said when asked for his opinion on Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to his old club, Michael Smith having netted a last-gasp winner for the Millers.

“Very similar thoughts, we’ve had a lot of the game, we’ve put some really good pieces of play together but that final bit was missing.

“And obviously that’s the all important part. As I said, you need to score at least one goal to win a game of football.

“But there were some very good bits of play. I think you could see what we’ve been trying to work on.

“I think it’s pretty clear but we have got to be more clinical, there’s no doubt about that. I think the second chance for Wardy when he’s gone to look to volley, I think if he takes off and heads it, and I’m not saying that’s ever going to be his biggest strength, but just throwing himself at the ball, I don’t think the defender has a chance to get there and that would have out us in front.

“Who is to say Rotherham might not have had a really good reaction to that and the game changes, so the next 60 minutes or so from when that chance occurred might have been different? But I would suggest that gives us a much better chance of getting the result that we wanted.”

He says the Blues are some way off from being the team he eventually wants them to be, unsurprising given that Saturday was only their second competitive game under his management and four players made their debuts over the course of the afternoon.

“I think still some distance in truth,” he said. “But at the same time, are we going to have a much better chance of winning a game of football than we did on Saturday on the actual performance and the amount of possession we had and some of the situations we got into? I would suggest we’d not.

“But football isn’t quite as black and white as that and again a results industry is what we’re in so that’s what we’ve got to get, however that happens. But at the same time results can often cloud what’s actually gone on in the game.

“And a lot of the time last season and many seasons before that we won a helluva lot of games, but that doesn’t mean everything’s been right, far from it.

“It sends people away happy, we’ve won a game football, fantastic, but from a manager’s point of view and watching the game, have the team performed how you want them to? Were you right defensively? All of that. Often that’s not the case and it can trick you into thinking everything’s right.

“And then at the same time we’ve got to be careful that [a defeat] doesn’t make you too negative. We’re disappointed and that disappointment’s still there speaking with you today but it doesn’t mean everything’s wrong and it was far from everything being wrong at the weekend. But we all feel better about ourselves and about the football club when you win games.”

With Toto Nsiala making his debut and Janoi Donacien starting at right-back for the first time, it was a new-look back four for the Blues and Hurst was pleased with how they shaped up even if he felt they weren’t given the toughest of afternoons.

“They’ll have a bigger test,” he said. “They had a very physical test with different types of physicalities. With Smith, naturally his height, Kyle Vassell, very strong boy, he will cause almost anyone problems on that side.

“But I think we handled it pretty well. I don’t think there were too many situations. Again, there’s always something that happens in a game.

“There were a couple of times we let the ball bounce when we shouldn’t have done which maybe caused a situation that shouldn’t have been there, but overall I was quite happy with that. But they didn’t have as much defending to do as I’m sure they will in a lot of games.”


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NITFC added 13:31 - Aug 13
Throughout the weekend I haven't seen too many people comment about just how well Jon Nolan played. His debut was fantastic and whilst one or two look to have much to do if they are going to step up to this level, Nolan (and Edwards) look to be really good signings
12

paul160267 added 13:42 - Aug 13
This is an unforgiving league. I just hope we pick up a few points over the next 4 games and concentrating on how we play. This looks already a more attractive team to watch. If we keep losing though heads may drop...keep the faith
4

Swn98 added 13:48 - Aug 13
Eh Paul you need to score one goal more than the opposition to win a game of football glad we've clarified that one.
When MM was here cup games meant nothing tomorrow we need to get a convincing result so that at least we can have some hope in this great new experiment.
0

Northstandveteran added 13:57 - Aug 13
Loving the positivity Swn 👏
2

TractorBoyTommy added 14:36 - Aug 13
What level is Hurst expecting buying League 1 and 2 players? pretty sure that answers the question
-7

rfretwell added 14:50 - Aug 13
A full strength team at Exeter tomorrow in the cup as far as possible! Music to the ears of all of us long suffering Town fans who gave up on the Cups in the MM era. Thanks Paul.
4

cat added 16:27 - Aug 13
Unfortunately for PH the expectation levels on here, as with many clubs are totally unrealistic. With a new manager and pretty much a new team playing a different system, not many clubs have the good fortune of hitting the ground running. Maybe fans are expecting a start like last season, which was a freak to say the least.
I'm pretty happy with the way things are looking, and with some of the new additions, get a couple of good wins under the belt and that ‘maybe' will get rid of some of the negativity on here.

Best part of 63% possession last Saturday suggests change is happening, looking forward to the Villa game.
3

Karlosfandangal added 18:15 - Aug 13
Wonder how long before the so called fans turn on Hurst and the players
1

SheptonMalletBlue added 21:36 - Aug 13
tractorboytommy, what tit you are!! Spurs got Deli Ali from MK who were in league 1, he's turned out alright. How can you make such a blanket comment on all L1/2 players?!!!!!!
3

Edmundo added 22:09 - Aug 13
I think we get your opinion TBT. Or should that be TIT
0

BigBlueMac added 10:13 - Aug 14
Tractorboytommy I do love how you comment on here and consistently make yourself look a complete and utter prat!! Good to see there some fans that have a realistic and positive outlook
-1

bobble added 11:29 - Aug 14
football,rugby, cider and a morning swim at the beach.........oh and a good thai curry for dinner....
0

TractorBoyTommy added 11:45 - Aug 14
@SheptonMalletBlue So did DelI Alli play in a Tottenham side full of league 1 and 2 players or for one of the best teams in the country. So that point is invalid.

@BigBlueMac Everything I have said on here has so far come to fruition, so i think your the one that looks like a TIT, believing a whole new team of league 1 and 2 players can compete in this league
0


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