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Joe Happy With Draw
Joe Happy With Draw
Saturday, 3rd Dec 2005 20:01

Boss Joe Royle was more than happy with a point from the home game with Wolves given Town's current injury situation. Royle had sympathy for Glenn Hoddle after the Blues were awarded a contentious penalty.

The Town manager said: "I am ecstatic with a point in view of all our current problems. I'd have gladly taken a point before the start. That's not lack of ambition, that's reality.

"We had bad luck falling behind after a wicked deflection but I can understand Glenn Hoddle being upset about the penalty decision.

"I cannot fault the spirit of my players who battled to the very end. For us to compete against teams like Wolves is going to be hard for us at the moment. We are in a transitional period and suffering injuries at the same time.

"I thought Gavin Williams was outstanding for us in midfield and our two central defenders stayed firm.

"For all Wolves' superiority in the latter stages our goalkeeper was not overworked, so we must be doing something right.

"Our failure to score goals in open play is the big problem. We need a far greater threat up front but may have to wait until the January transfer window opens to be able to do anything about it."

Hoddle was less pleased with his side and their failure to take chances, Ki-Hyeon Seol particularly guilty late on when missing from a few feet: "I have told the players they are going to underachieve if they cannot put a killer head on. It is unacceptable.

"Maybe I should change the way we train and make them run, run and run again until the penny drops. We are shooting ourselves in the foot.

"When you miss from that close it is unacceptable at this level. I just don't know if the players realise it. We play some lovely football and dominate teams away from home, but we lack quality when finishing. It's as simple as that."

The former England boss was keen to avoid saying too much about the penalty: "The ball was going out for a corner. I'm not going too far down that road. It will cost me money if I say what I really want to say."


Photo: Action Images



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