We spoke to Mike Williamson following today’s draw against Crewe.
“Taking everything into context, they're a very, very good team and they're up there for a reason. On initial reflection, really disappointed because we defended so well and so resolutely.
“We didn't have the ball as much as we’d like, but we knew we were going to have to suffer and we did for the large extent of the game. We’re obviously getting punished by decisions at the minute.
“The disappointment is for the boys because they give their heart and soul. I'm feeling really disappointed for them.”
On the penalty decision, he said: “It comes from having such a willingness to want to win the game and to do everything we possibly can.
“It’s coming from a good place, but we've just got to have that fire in the belly and ice in the veins as they say. We've got to be calm in certain situations and especially in both boxes. We've got to make sure that we're a little bit more clinical.
“It was a monumental effort and the boys gave everything. You can see the heart and desire.”
Other than the penalty, United limited Crewe to half chances, Mike agreed: “Apart from a set piece, our defensive record has been really good. Although they had such a large percent of the possession with a lot of very dangerous players in good rotations, we dealt with it well.
“I think in the first half, in transition, we could have been a bit better. But they did to us what we want to do to teams in terms of keep the ball and move them so much that when they win the ball back, they're so tired that they can't get their head up. And that was what we felt. We had to ride that. And then the second half it was similar.”
Dom Sadi scored in the second minute, and we asked Mike about the early goal: “We got the early goal but then after that, I feel like that affected us a little bit because we went into a little bit of hope mode, and we tried to just preserve when we really still wanted to be attacking.
“We had to weather the storm, but the boys did well again. I think it's a mark to say we're disappointed to not get the win when their team doing so well and they're such a good team.
United have had back to back home games against the third placed teams in the league, we asked Mike if he would have taken being unbeaten before playing the games: “Like I say, with where we're at at the minute, I think in the first half you could see two teams, one that was desperate for a win and one that believed that they were going to win. And I think that's the conviction we will get to in our actions.
“And I think the second half, you know, when we made changes, we had obviously a lot of lads getting tired. I think we started to control the game and then we flipped it on to them when they were getting tired and we were dominating the territory, which is, you know, more like what we want. In reflection beforehand, you want to take the points, keep the momentum and move on.”
Ben Barclay came back into the team after his suspension, and Mike commented on his performance: “Ben just does anything you ask him and does it to the best of his ability. And that's an incredible trait.
“We've got a lot of lads like that, that will just give everything they’ve possibly got, even when it's on an unnatural side. He just kept going, kept working, kept defending, organising and showed that willingness.”
Jordan Jones also came back into the squad after his injury, Mike commented: “I think when Dylan and JJ came on, as well as Georgie and Harrison, I think you could see that there was an energy shift and they wanted to receive the ball and play.
“I think that's a natural pattern of bringing that quality on the pitch. And we've just got to keep trying to build up his minutes and keep him as fit as possible.”
Luke Armstrong was missing from the squad, and Mike confirmed it was a selection issue rather than an injury concern: “It's the hardest thing in football. It's not been easy at all. It's really difficult, but through process of elimination, when I look at the lads and we know we've got four or five that will need to be bought off in the game, that was why we made the decision.
“The substitutes changed two or three times during the game because we could see lads that were struggling. We needed a bench where we felt as though we could bring on the fours and the eights, and a wing back and things like that. So, unfortunately, that was a decision.”
United are now five unbeaten, and searching for the win to kickstart the season: “We want that win, and it felt like it was coming today. I thought it was going to be a gruelling, gritty performance, but I thought we'd see it through. It wasn’t meant to be, but testament to the boys and the effort and we move forward.”
