We spoke to Sam Lavelle after the defeat to Grimsby Town.
Speaking to CUTV, the defender said: “We started well, got the goal, playing well, looking pretty solid, they had a few half-chances and stuff, but you're feeling pretty comfortable, you feel like it's going to finish 1-0, and then the game flips on its head from big moments in the game and we end up losing it.
"We can't just keep saying we're unlucky, because I'd rather get battered and win 1-0. We're feeling frustrated after the game because we thought we deserved more.”
We asked Sam what causes that switch from the first-half, into the second. He answered: “It's probably a bit of anxiety creeping in when you're not used to winning, but I think we did okay in the second half, we got a good chance when it came off the post and fell to Embo [Elliot Embleton], and they got a good block in, and if that goes in, if our other half-chances go in at 2-0, you slow the game down and see it out, but it wasn't to be.
“We've got to do better. The penalty wasn't a penalty, I don't think, but we've got to do better to stop it at source.
“We've seen a few of the chances back, a few of the penalty shouts on our behalf back, and their penalty-back, so we can't buy our luck at the moment, but we've got to keep grafting and surely we'll get our slice of luck as well.”
The gap remained the same for United after both Morecambe and Tranmere fell to defeats. Sam said: “It's a massive chance, like I said, I felt on the pitch that we were slowing the game down at a good time, still creating a few chances, and I thought it was just going to peter out to a 1-0, but it wasn't to be.”
Sam then spoke about working with Mark Hughes and Glyn Hodges, he said: "It's been a change, he’s got loads of experience, I’ve got loads of respect for him.
“It's back to basics in a way, which gets you results in League Two at times, and it showed today. We played simple but good football, and I believe we should have got a result.”
We asked Sam how the mood in the changing room was. He responded: “They’re gutted to be honest, and I suppose it's my job and other leaders in the group's job to lift the lads, because we can't just feel sorry for ourselves and think it's not going our way. We can't do much more, but yes, just gutted and feeling hard done by.”
On the quick turnaround with Newport on Tuesday, Sam said: “It's a big week, gutted we couldn't start with a win. We need to digest this tonight and tomorrow, and come back in fresh, and just get motivated and aggressive and win the game Tuesday.
“I think it's just a case of putting teams to bed, and the flip side is going 1-0 up and not getting that anxiety feeling, just staying calm and keep creating chances.”
On the fantastic travelling support, Sam added: “They’re brilliant. They were so loud after we scored and throughout the game. They follow so well in numbers, and it does give us a boost.
“It's just gutting we couldn't give them a smile and three points to drive home with, because they follow every single week unbelievably.
“Everyone in the club, involved in the club, fans, staff, everyone in the community, players, everyone's got to come together. We can't have negativity, we've got to all come together, buy into what we're doing, just positive vibes around the place, and just belief, because we're good enough as a team.
“Getting a bit unlucky at the moment, but we can't keep saying that, we need to turn that luck around ourselves.”
