YOUTH: More relaxed as a team

“It was a great spectacle and a game I would have paid to watch,” he said. “It was very enjoyable and we took it to them in the first half. I can safely say we dominated the first 45 minutes and we created some really good chances.

“They chased the game after the break and they got their goals through a couple of daft mistakes from us. I can accept that because they were very honest mistakes and the lads will learn from them.”

“They put two more players up top in the second half, gambled a bit on getting after us, and it put us under a bit of pressure,” he continued. “Overall we handled it really well. I was at Burnley for 12 years as a coach so I know the philosophy in place at the club. I knew they would play football but, as always, it’s about how we play. They do try and get the ball down as much as possible and we went at it with a similar approach. 

“The only thing I was a little bit disappointed with was that we started to play long when we got into the last ten minutes. We don’t coach that so it was a bit foreign to see us do it. We asked the question after the game as to why we reverted to doing that but the good thing with it happening is that it’s another lesson learned.”

“Burnley shaded the second half but that doesn’t mean we didn’t contribute,” he told us. “We kept trying to play our football, which was pleasing, and we also looked much more resilient. 

“That’s nice to see because we’ve been guilty of conceding one goal, then we’d concede a second and a third. At times we would fold over like a pack of cards. We don’t do that these days. That means it’s sunk in that there are two sides to the game – when you have possession and when you don’t. We defended very well as individuals and as a unit and we can take a lot from that.”

“The first years are starting to believe in themselves a bit more,” he said. “I think they’ve realised they’re allowed to make mistakes and they aren’t as anxious about what they’re doing. We look more relaxed as a team and the feelings of panic which used to creep in have gone.”

Looking ahead to the weekend Cumberland Cup fixture against Longtown, he said: “If you’re a footballing side you try and take the physical element out of it.

 

“If you don’t get caught, and if you shift the ball quickly, then there definitely isn’t a physical element to the game anyway. They will be physically superior, there’s no doubt about that, because they are a team full of men.  

“With no disrespect to them we would expect us to be better technically, but they’ll match us if we allow them to. They’ll come here to get a result. 

“I think the lads will relish the fact they’ll be playing on the main pitch at their own stadium. Let’s be honest, if you can’t play your game here you can’t play anywhere. I can’t see the lads getting overwhelmed by the occasion. All they need to do is concentrate on playing and doing things properly, which I’m sure they will.”

Team news to follow.