Speed focuses on positives despite defeat
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A deflated Gary Speed reflected on his sides defeat to Scotland shortly after the final whistle, with a hint of bitterness regarding the schedule for the Carling Nations Cup on Wednesday evening. However, he also stated that he would remain focused on the Northern Ireland game on Friday evening in an attempt to avoid a clean sweep of defeats in the tournament and in turn, finishing bottom of the table.
His side were well and truly outclassed by a very strong Scottish side, captained by Kenny Miller. He admits that the defeat was down to his own sides’ mistakes. “In the second half, Scotland put us under a lot of pressure. We just didn’t deal with it as well as we should have. They tore us apart really, and we need to improve on that, we’ll play bigger nations and they can put us under a lot of pressure too. So we’re going have to improve.”
In regards to the tournament itself, he didn’t seem pleased by the schedule. “The tournament has been undermined by the attendances but also by the schedule. We’ve been treated like poor relations on this one. Playing Scotland today and another match Friday, like I said: poor relations. So yes, it has been undermined by the attendances, but even more so by the schedule.”
In a specific incident from the match, a challenge from Charlie Adam was a talking point. Regarding the just punishment, Speed reacted in a positive manner. “I don’t think it’s a red card, there was no malice in it. In that aspect, in fairness to the referee, he did well not to be flashing cards throughout the game.”
While Speed was a deflated manager in terms of team performance, he appeared to be a proud man whilst reflecting on his captain for the evening, Robert Earnshaw. “I wouldn’t have expected anything else from Rob, he’s Wales through and through and that’s why I gave him the armband tonight.”
In terms of the Northern Ireland game, Speed was realistic. “In regards to Friday, very few of the lads that played tonight will feature, considering its two games in three days. Its Northern Ireland on Friday, it’s going to be a tough game alright. It’s one hundred per cent guaranteed that they’re going to be hurting from the other night. We’re always going to be determined to win our matches, and that applies to Friday night as well.”
His side were well and truly outclassed by a very strong Scottish side, captained by Kenny Miller. He admits that the defeat was down to his own sides’ mistakes. “In the second half, Scotland put us under a lot of pressure. We just didn’t deal with it as well as we should have. They tore us apart really, and we need to improve on that, we’ll play bigger nations and they can put us under a lot of pressure too. So we’re going have to improve.”
In regards to the tournament itself, he didn’t seem pleased by the schedule. “The tournament has been undermined by the attendances but also by the schedule. We’ve been treated like poor relations on this one. Playing Scotland today and another match Friday, like I said: poor relations. So yes, it has been undermined by the attendances, but even more so by the schedule.”
In a specific incident from the match, a challenge from Charlie Adam was a talking point. Regarding the just punishment, Speed reacted in a positive manner. “I don’t think it’s a red card, there was no malice in it. In that aspect, in fairness to the referee, he did well not to be flashing cards throughout the game.”
While Speed was a deflated manager in terms of team performance, he appeared to be a proud man whilst reflecting on his captain for the evening, Robert Earnshaw. “I wouldn’t have expected anything else from Rob, he’s Wales through and through and that’s why I gave him the armband tonight.”
In terms of the Northern Ireland game, Speed was realistic. “In regards to Friday, very few of the lads that played tonight will feature, considering its two games in three days. Its Northern Ireland on Friday, it’s going to be a tough game alright. It’s one hundred per cent guaranteed that they’re going to be hurting from the other night. We’re always going to be determined to win our matches, and that applies to Friday night as well.”
About Andrew Cunneen
Andrew joined Extratime for the 2010 season and covers all the on-goings down in Limerick. Having first experienced the League of Ireland in 2002, Andrew became hooked, even at such an early age. He is … View Full Profile