Manager Paul Cox has called for our side to improve on their concentration levels in the wake of tonight’s 4-1 defeat to Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup with Budweiser.
Ross Dyer’s early-opener had fans dreaming of a Third Round trip to Liverpool, but four goals in a devastating 24-minute spell in the second half, earned Oldham a second trip to Anfield in three seasons.
It was a thoroughly miserable night for our team as Ben Hutchinson and Sam Clucas were forced off through injury, and skipper John Dempster was also shown a straight red card late on.
“I thought for two-thirds of the game that we were in control,” said Cox.
“We weren’t under any pressure whatsoever and probably should have come in 2-0 up at half-time. (Sam) Clucas had a great effort what hit the post and could have probably done a little bit better.
“In the second half, their keeper made a great save from Lindon Meikle, and around the 60-minute mark, I thought the game was very even.
“But we’ve got to be better. Our organisation and our structure has got us through the last two games, and 60 minutes in this game. At times you couldn’t tell the difference between the two teams.
“Some of the lads said [leading up] to two of their goals, there were fouls, but we’ve got to be stronger and our concentration levels have got to be better.”
Cox added: “I didn’t see the 4-1 result coming, because all we had to do was keep our shape and our organisation and more importantly, our discipline.
“We thought [at half-time] we’d come away with probably nicking another [goal], so it’s disappointing because I thought for 60 minutes, we were decent.”
On the injury to Clucas, who has been taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, our boss added: “I think Sam jumped and came down on the back of his achilles, so I’m hoping he’s alright.”
