Town Head Coach comments on Bristol City defeat
Head Coach David Wagner was not happy with his team following Town’s 4–0 defeat at Bristol City.Speaking directly after the game at Ashton Gate, the German was focused on reviewing the loss, in particular Town’s second half display.
Wagner commented: “I think today we missed more or less everything. This was the worst performance we have put in this season; we were not sharp enough in defence and we had no balance. The distance between each part of my team was too big and therefore very easy for Bristol to create chances.
“In the first 20-25 minutes we were good in the game, it was an open fixture. After this we lost control and we were not able to close the wings. We gave the first goal then we gave three other ones in the second half, so altogether this was not ok from us. Today 14 individuals played against a team.
“We were not strong with the ball and didn't have enough speed so missed more or less everything about our identity.
“We did not defend today as a team, only as individuals. We lost our defensive identity. We were not aggressive enough, we were maybe not fresh enough as well to close the gaps to make it tight and uncomfortable for Bristol. This is why they scored 4 goals.
“Normally everybody has to have their own motivation as a professional, I don't think this this was a problem today. In my opinion today our problem was our attitude, we did not concentrate or focus with the ball and didn't have enough fighting spirit without the ball.
“We did not create anything for ourselves today. We were not able to close down and had problems on the wings. We also started to make easy fouls as well, free kicks after free kicks.
“After today, it is very easy (for the players) to show the right reaction at the last game at home. We have to accept this result today but show a reaction. The players have put pressure on themselves as our motivation has to be our own to show a good performance.
“Maybe I as a manager have learnt a lot about individuals, characters and qualities today; maybe more than I learned in the last 6 months. I only stayed in the dressing room for one minute after the game as I don't think this is best to say the situation I have in my head now. We will be in training tomorrow. Again in the last six months we have shown the correct attitude and today we missed that and we have to be honest with ourselves.”
