Head Coach Simon Grayson spoke to the press after Saturday afternoon’s 2-1 Emirates FA Cup defeat to Burton Albion at Highbury.
Town took an early first half lead when Joe Garner bundled Shayden Morris’ driven cross across the line. However, goals from Joe Powell and Daniel Jebbison were enough for the visitors to see themselves into the next round despite a late Cod Army push.
Here’s what Grayson had to say:
On the game…
“We were obviously disappointed because we wanted to have a good cup run and get back to winning ways after the defeat on Tuesday night. I think when you look at the game overall, I thought in the first half we were certainly better than them, we looked like we could create chances. Paddy (Lane) and Shayden (Morris) were looking for a threat on the wings.
“We got the early goal which was a good start for us but then to concede so quickly afterwards was disappointing. We were giving too many opportunities away, with too much space, time to win challenges, and gave them a chance to get their heads up and ask questions of us.
“In the second half the conditions were really bad for both teams and there wasn’t a great deal of chances for either side to get a foothold in the game. We're trying to get minutes into the legs because we were trying to get something out of the game, because when we went 2-1 down, we wanted to try and force a replay to then try and get through to round 2."
On Morris’ return from injury…
“It’s good to see Shayden back starting again. He’s been back eight weeks with a fractured foot. Going back to pre-season and the earlier part of the season he was our best player. It’s nice to have him back, we felt it was the right chance for him to start today. We’re just trying to get the right balance for the team and where he players and how it works for the team.
“Today was an opportunity to play wing back because we knew they would play wing backs and he was not going to be defending too much and in the first half he was really good, as was Paddy.
The second half was difficult because of the conditions because it didn’t allow us to get the ball to those two in key areas and ultimately it’s probably why we didn’t create as many chances.”
On the opportunity for young players…
“It’s the model of our football club. Young players are playing because they’re good enough to play in our first team. We’re not just playing them because they’re young and they’re affecting the game. We’ve seen Paddy over the last few games, he’s been very good and Shayden again today and in the earlier part of the season.
“They’ve got to keep doing it, keep improving and keep working hard, but also the rest of the more experienced players have to be better in what we do and be more ruthless.”