I’m proud of the team and the performance. They played with heart and were tenacious out there.
They played the game with a bit of bravado too.
Also without simply trying to stop the opponents; they were trying to offer something themselves.
The guys tried to win the ball as high up as possible.
They played with a good amount of intensity. It’s shame that we didn’t manage to get a result.
Because, from my point of view, this really was one of the best performances of the season.
Also given the standard of the opposition.
The aim was to stay in the game until the very end.
It was about not allowing our opponents to close the game out earlier, to pass between themselves.
We were playing at home, in front of our fans. We had to create a situation where they’d get behind us
and keep pushing us right until the end.
And the team certainly managed to do all of that.
They showed real maturity. A really good level of maturity.
I was asked before the game whether I’d have taken a draw. Absolutely not - I’d have taken this kind of performance.
Because, in the medium-to-long-term, this kind of performance is what will take us places.
It would be great if we could produce this kind of intensity in every single game, with this kind of all-round display.
With Vasco Regini we had a chance to draw level. That was the missing piece of the puzzle we needed, so to speak.
That would have been fantastic. It’s a shame we didn’t manage it.
But that takes nothing away from the commitment, dedication and passion the team showed.
Samp weren’t overawed or afraid. I was glad to see that the game was not imposed upon them.
The team never gave up.
The goal came against the run of play, because before they scored we had two really good chances.
Those made me realise that my guys had turned up and knew what game they were involved in.
It’s a shame, a real shame. They deserved more luck than they got.
It shouldn’t take away from what the guys produced. We have to say well done to them.
When they left the pitch, there were cheers from our supporters, who were amazing once again. Right until the end.
It’d be great if that was always the case.
I know that everything is a result of the work we’re doing and the sacrifices we’re making.
It’s also the connection and the feeling there is between each of the players.
As well as the work they’re doing. That connection we all have – that’s being a team.
As well as the work they’re doing. That connection we all have – that’s being a team.
It’s something that can just fall into place. But you still need to feed it and invest in it.
Even when you think you’ve achieved something. You need to keep going.
That’s part of the sacrifice – from a mental and physical perspective – that you need to make.
Because ultimately that sacrifice is then repaid with professional satisfaction.
And through that union of different parts of the club.
That’s something we need to nourish and that we need to work on.
You always need to give something. It’s a time-consuming job.
