Way – Mistakes Cost Us

Caretaker gaffer Darren Way has said mistakes cost us in last night’s three two defeat to Oxford in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy semi final.

Audio – Ward Talks Oxford Loss

In quotes carried by the Western Gazette from his post game press conference, being so close to a trip to Wembley and losing in the manner we did, obviously left Way disappointed and frustrated.

‘I am bitterly disappointed with the defending, but if I had to have one question mark coming into this week I would have to say fitness levels. It is something that can’t change overnight. It takes work. Their second goal was not acceptable and we will be working on that because if you concede goals like that you lose games and I think that has been our big problem this year. I think we controlled the first half which was the frustrating part because I thought the game plan worked. I was really happy with the first half apart from the mistakes. The defending was poor and I need to sit down and analyse it. You could see they got the ball down and played it and we looked a real goal threat. I think you can see that the players are showing that passion, showing that fight and showing that they want to do well. It has only been two games, but the players kept going until the end and we have only had a short time to work on things.’

Way will be hoping that the bits of improvement he’s seeing continue, but with fewer defensive errors as we host Barnet at Huish Park this weekend as clearly the League Two campaign and results have to be the priority.

‘I think it is the biggest because of where we have been for such a long time. So it is important that they recover, look after themselves and are ready for Saturday.’

Darren Ward was interviewed after the game as well, and he feels we could’ve got something from the match had we made better decisions and been a bit sharper at key points.

‘I think the game was there for us. As much as they had good possession, with a little bit more I thought we could have come away with something. I thought we came back into the game well and looked quite positive, but to concede a goal like that so close to the end of the half was disappointing.’

Asked about the new interim gaffer, Ward went on to say.

‘He is a fighter, everyone knows that. He has tried really hard to reinforce his thoughts with us within the short space of time he has had. Some of the experienced players help reinforce that as well because there are a lot of young players who need that help and guidance and we are hoping to continue that. He is a strong character and if you are not going to go with him I think you are probably going to fall away. We are fully behind him and are happy with what we have seen so far, but it does take time and he can’t just wave a magic wand.’