Boss reflects on defeat to Southend United and says key decisions have been made about the future.
Manager Paul Cox says he has made big decisions concerning our team’s immediate future, following today’s 2-1 home defeat to Southend United.The Shrimpers took the lead courtesy of Ryan Leonard’s thunderbolt early in the first half and, despite squandering some good chances, made it 2-0 as David Worrall scored with 20 minutes remaining.
Our team then set up a grandstand finale courtesy of a late strike by substitute Ollie Palmer, but despite a brave effort in the dying stages, we were unable to salvage a draw.
“Realistically, we should have got something out of it in the last 20 minutes, but you can’t not play for 75 minutes and hope to win a football match,” said our boss, who was speaking in his post-match interview.
“[There was] nothing - nothing at all, but I’ve learned a few things and decisions have been in my head about a few things.”
He continued: “I know judging on how Southend played today, what we’ve been doing is quite correct as when we went to a three, we looked a little bit more dynamic and created more chances.
“Sometimes things are taken out of your hands in terms of bodies and personnel and sometimes you have to try things out, but, like I say, it’s a funny old game and some massive decisions have been made – not just today, but over previous performances as well.
“If you think of the stuff that can affect performances – fatigue, knocks and stuff like that, it should have been a performance over 90 minutes – not just in the last 20 minutes, where we had a good go at it.
“I said in interviews before the game that there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel in terms of personnel. We need to get to the over-riding standards we’ve set over the previous three years I’ve been at the club.
“I’ve had good chats with the chairman and we know what we’re going to do in terms of going forward and that’s a positive thing for me. It means changes in everything and a consistency in what we do.
“Some people aren’t going to like it, but I’m not too concerned. I want to get back to winning consistently – not winning one, drawing one and losing one, or drawing four on the bounce.”
Paul Cox’s full post-match interview is available on Stags Player. To subscribe, click here.
