MANAGER: We didn't have the quality that they showed

Manager Paul Simpson spoke to us shortly after the 3-1 defeat to Oxford United.

"I'm obviously massively disappointed with the result," he said.

"Disappointed certainly with the first goal - from a set play players have jobs to do and we allow a free header from probably the tallest player on the pitch, so we didn't do that individual job.

"We then have another chance to clear it in the six-yard box and we don't.

"I actually thought we were doing okay in the first half. We were getting close to them and were able to try and win the ball back high up the pitch. We got opportunities, maybe five or six, where we were in the final third and we didn't make it count.

"They were just getting up a little bit of a head of steam [before the first goal] and control but and we had to stay with the game but we didn't."

Expanding on the other two goals that the Blues conceded, Simpson added: "The second goal is disappointing as well in that we've allowed the one central striker to run through the middle.

"I think if we had VAR he'd be given offside, but it's a tough one for the linesman on that far side. The worrying thing is that he's said it's the left-back playing him on when the left-back must have been 15 yards in front of him, but it's a very close call.

"The third goal is a really good ball inside Jack Ellis and a really good finish as well. I just think we got into good areas and we didn't have the quality that they showed unfortunately."

It could have been a different story had a deflected Alfie McCalmont strike moments before half-time nestled in the bottom corner rather than flashing wide of the post.

So does that just show the lack of fortune falling United's way currently?

"It does - but you have to make you own luck," admitted the manager.

"You have to dig in and you've got to grind things out.

"It was a bit of a contentious corner for the first goal but if I'm honest I think it came off Sam Lavelle so I can't complain about that, it's just my opinion. But you still have to do your job properly and deal with that situation and we didn't.

"Things like the Alfie chance that gets deflected wide and the offside as well for their second goal, if you're going well those things go your way. We're not going well and those things go against you.

"I'll give the players the credit, they kept going, kept pushing, kept trying to get back in it. We had the chance with Joe Garner that maybe the defender and Jack Robinson put him off a little bit.

"We had some half opportunities but we've come up against a very good football team in Oxford who have put us to the sword."

The Blues were once again backed by over 7,000 home supporters at Brunton Park in what was another pleasing home attendance. 

"I get their frustration," said Simpson of the support.

"I can ensure everybody that I'm as frustrated as everybody, I'm a manager but I'm also a fan and I'm desperate to get this turned around and do what we can. We're trying everything we can.

"The fans have been outstanding the way they're turning up and sticking with us and we have to stay with it. Hopefully we can come through this."

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