Hurst: It's Been a Long Time Coming
Saturday, 6th Oct 2018 18:27 Town boss Paul Hurst admitted that not too many people would have expected the Blues’ long wait for a win to come at Swansea, particularly after they had gone a goal down in only the eighth minute. However, the Blues staged a turnaround to lead 2-1, then after the Swans had equalised grabbed a winner as the game ended 3-2.
“It’s been a long time coming and probably unexpected coming here today,” Hurst said. “We would certainly have been big underdogs and then to go 1-0 down early in the game.
“Probably not too many people would have seen that result coming, but big credit to the players for their efforts which were needed against a very good team that cause not only us but a lot of other teams a lot of problems having watched them.
“We had to ride our luck a little bit at times but I don’t think we’ve always had that on-side so I’m not going to complain about that too much.
“But at the same time we looked we could score a few goals today. There were other situations that we had that could have added to the three goals as well.”
Hurst had praise for lone striker Freddie Sears: “We spoke about how Swansea play and I think when you win the ball back, if you are willing to look forwards you can get in off of that and I thought we did that at times.
“He’s a very clever player in terms of his movement. I’ve seen somewhere that the second one has been given as an own goal, which seems a bit harsh.
“As far as I’m concerned he scored, whether the records say that or not. But he was outstanding, worked hard but also used his brain at times - when he wouldn’t have been able to get the ball then conserved some energy but he was a good outlet for us.”
Asked what the overriding emotion was in the dressing room afterwards, he said: “Tired, in all honesty because a few of the lads are saying that’s one of the hardest games they’ve played.
“But I’m not going to take anything away from Swansea, I think they’re a very, very good team.
“They’ll be disappointed with the final ball or final shot, execution but clearly I’m worried about my team, about how they played and I thought they put their bodies on the line, the work-rate was there and it needed to be.
“And also there was quite a lot of character shown, going 1-0 down early on, then being pegged back, so it was a big test and one that you only get if you’ve got a group of players that are willing to work hard and be committed to the cause, which they clearly were.”
Hurst admits there’s a sense of relief after finally tasting victory at the 13th time of asking with Town in all competitions.
“We can stop asking the question about when that victory’s going to come and I really hope we don’t have to wait as long next time to have that feeling you have at the end of games,” he said.
“Those final minutes seemed like hours, in truth and I think they thought we were messing around with the substitute but genuinely that wasn’t the case.
“For some reason they thought it was Freddie but it was always going to be Gwion so that added another minute onto it. I think, if you’re honest, it was a relief when that final whistle went.”
Hurst says he’s well aware that having got that first win there’s plenty of hard work ahead.
“We’ve looked at other results and a lot of them [around us] have won,” he added. “A few teams are falling down but I think the bottom three from the start of play all won.
“We know it’s a tough league and nothing changes for us but it’s great we have that off our backs as a group and as a club.
“It’s a while now until our next game with the international break. I would rather carry on playing but I don’t think some of the players will feel that way because there were a few tired limbs in there.
“There’s that feeling of relief and I think emotionally they will be a little drained. With a long journey it’s not a bad thing on that side. It’s a couple of weeks now until that next game.”
Regarding Andre Dozzell, who played 80 minutes of his first competitive first-team start since the opening day of last season, Hurst said: “I thought he did well. He brought a calmness on the ball and picked some nice passes.
“We thought it would be one of our hardest games and it proved to be that, so credit to him for his performance.
“He used brain power to sometimes not chase when he didn’t have to and, as much as we want to try and get a press on teams, that was difficult today.
“We could try and do it from a start point but after that we had to be very disciplined and play from there.
“He’ll be pleased to get back out there and I think he brought some quality on the ball to us that we needed.”
Swansea manager Graham Potter was philosophical about the defeat, believing there were positives to be taken from the match despite the result.
“I thought we started really well, got a good goal and then pushed and pushed for the second,” he said.
“Really good momentum, good attacking play and then we conceded a goal from not too much, which has obviously knocked us back. It’s a bit of a learning experience for us that one.
“And then the second one goes in quickly as well, so then you’re looking for the response of the players.
“I thought we kept going throughout, but credit to Ipswich they always carried a little threat on the transition, Sears was dangerous.
“But the spirit of the players, we created chances, opportunities, did everything, the effort was fantastic, I thought.
“Whether it was a third game in a week [that had an impact], we got ourselves back in and then to concede in the manner that we did for the third that we did was disappointing and in the end the age old [adage], if you concede three goals it’s hard to win football matches is the reality, so we have to take it.
“There were a lot of positives in the match but ultimately we’ve come away with nothing and we’re disappointed with that.”
Photo: TWTD
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clint_eastwood added 18:31 - Oct 6
Just keep playing Dozzell and drop Knudsen to the bench and we'll be fine. |  | |
cornishblu added 18:32 - Oct 6
Wow...what a difference in photograph ....was carrying the world on his shoulders before this result
COYB |  | |
cornishblu added 18:32 - Oct 6
Wow...what a difference in photograph ....was carrying the world on his shoulders before this result
COYB | | |
Erics_size_5s added 18:32 - Oct 6
3-2 win is not a typical PH result, but I'm sure that doesn't worry him tonight. As a positive it is clear the team has a strength of character that it vital if we are to push on from here. | | |
martin587 added 18:35 - Oct 6
Well done Paul.Start with the same team for the next game please.Keep the continuity going. |  | |
DJpatrovers1 added 18:37 - Oct 6
Absolutely buzzing! Those last 5 mins were hell but we pulled through as a team. Confidence will be high and let's takenit into QPR in 2 weeks. Buzzing Andre played well & Sounds like sears had a great game, I hope this means he's getting back to his best when he first joined! COYB. | | |
algarvefan added 18:39 - Oct 6
Lets just enjoy the win, a great game, exciting even for a neutral watching. I have said in most games we have been better than the results, today was the opposite, but I'll enjoy a beer or two tonight.
Great win Town and well done Paul Hurst, you have not panicked and I now believe we will be OK this season and go on to get better. |  | |
algarvefan added 18:39 - Oct 6
Lets just enjoy the win, a great game, exciting even for a neutral watching. I have said in most games we have been better than the results, today was the opposite, but I'll enjoy a beer or two tonight.
Great win Town and well done Paul Hurst, you have not panicked and I now believe we will be OK this season and go on to get better. | | |
midastouch added 18:39 - Oct 6
i can't even begin to imagine the relief he's feeling right now. he'll feel absolutely elated with that result.
let's hope we can build on this as we badly need some momentum to make good on our terrible start. lots of norwich fans were wanting farke out and look (despite their bump today) how quick they've gone up the table since the EA derby. a few successive wins can move you up the table very fast in this insane topsy-turvy league. |  | |
blueboy1981 added 18:40 - Oct 6
You've still got to ditch this 'one up front business' - Jackson and Sears - no brainer.
Go out to WIN the game from the start - we've seen enough of 'preserve' the point we start with... !!
Just do it. | | |
TractorBeezer added 18:44 - Oct 6
I am very happy for you Paul and the lads who displayed great character and spirit all round led by Chambers and inspired by Ward, Sears and Edwards. It was also entertaining. Thanks!!
Also special mention deserved by our fans who made the long trip and made themselves heard.
UTTBs |  | |
TractorBeezer added 18:44 - Oct 6
I am very happy for you Paul and the lads who displayed great character and spirit all round led by Chambers and inspired by Ward, Sears and Edwards. It was also entertaining. Thanks!!
Also special mention deserved by our fans who made the long trip and made themselves heard.
UTTBs | | |
TractorBeezer added 18:44 - Oct 6
I am very happy for you Paul and the lads who displayed great character and spirit all round led by Chambers and inspired by Ward, Sears and Edwards. It was also entertaining. Thanks!!
Also special mention deserved by our fans who made the long trip and made themselves heard.
UTTBs | | |
Warkys_Tash added 18:45 - Oct 6
Well done Paul Hurst & Town, much, much needed win.
Whether we kick on now or this is a flash result remains to be seen.
However, I still have doubts about Freddie up in his own all season! Bur fair play to him today |  | |
WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:48 - Oct 6
Very significant that Freddie Sears has done well last 2 games. Could be the new "signing" of a striker we need. He's looking like a better fit for Hurst's style than MM. | | |
rdibble added 19:10 - Oct 6
Fantastic atmosphere throughout the game utter joy at the final whistle COYB | | |
Fatboy added 19:15 - Oct 6
We could have had five today, mind you Swansea could have had 10! Perhaps our luck is changing. | | |
TimmyH added 19:17 - Oct 6
Great win today and have to say rather unexpectedly so well done, on the bigger picture this is where the litmus test really starts. Keane after his dismal run of 13/14 games without a win then managed some draws and wins thereafter for a spell but as regards to today's win it won't mean that much if we go through the next 4 or 5 without another. |  | |
timspencero added 19:19 - Oct 6
What a massive relief.
Hopefully it'll help the confidence, we need to build on it now of course but great to have monkey off the back. You can see the lack of confidence from Sears' first shot on goal, a touch too many - but wonderful through ball from dozzer to show what we've been missing.
We were pummelled but somehow survived.
Just shows sometimes you can't read too much into a win or a loss.
All that matters for now is that it was a win.
Pray to god that the confidence boost can bring in a quality boost.
COYB |  | |
cat added 19:20 - Oct 6
I kept the faith but I'm not getting carried away. I'm buzzing after that, god only knows how PH is feeling. Step in the right direction, belief and confidence should come from this result, now to kick on. |  | |
Talbs77 added 19:31 - Oct 6
As a famous Scottish manager once said football.....bloody hell!
Town never cease to amaze me, what a great effort by the boys and Paul Hurst and his staff.
I think international break gives us a opportunity to regroup and go again.
Well done boys now kick on and get us out of bottom 3. |  | |
cranky_old_tractor added 20:07 - Oct 6
Great result. Well done PH, team and fans. Eases the pressure. Swansea looked good but they will be wondering how they did not convert all those chances. Still we will take the result - onwards and upwards | | |
jonwatson75 added 20:20 - Oct 6
I'm so pleased for Paul and all of the team. Living in doncaster I got to more away games than home games.
We should have won at Rotherham and played well.
We could have got a point at derby - it was close.
We were in the game at Sheffield Wednesday and were robbed when Nsiala was was so harshly sent off.
We were dreadful at hull.
It sounds like we rode our luck but... let's be fair we haven't had much thus far.
Let's enjoy the win. Let's get behind Paul and the lads (like I have seen at each of those games) and push on. Well done boys. Come on you blues!
| | |
herfie added 21:14 - Oct 6
No doubt PH is an honest and committed individual who, at times, can perhaps come across as good with words and sentiment, but struggles with the nitty gritty of being a Cship manager. So today was really pleased that the lads showed guts and determination in carving out what, to be honest, was an unexpected victory. Apart from demonstrating what a bonkers league we're in, the confidence that should come from today, and the lessons PH will havee surely learned about team selection, risk taking and set-up will stand us in good stead for the future. This excellent result must be used to build on.
| | |
ArnieM added 21:47 - Oct 6
So Freddie is the lone striker then? Amazing what a bit of experience .... and service to that experience can do isn't it.
Very , very well played lads.
Onwards and upwards from herein ! |  | |
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