Robbie Fowler’s side equalized the match and here is what the gaffer had to say about the match in the press conference:
“We’ve played three tough games in six days so maybe that was the back end of why we went probably our normal selves in terms of performance but look again that the boys showed lots of grit and desire to come away. The lads played remarkably well, so it was hard for me to leave them out. We can only play five foreigners so it’s like for like. Pilkington came in when it was a little bit behind and we ended up drawing the game so I’m not sure how it can be a tactical error or a tactical genius.”
On the draw Fowler Said
“It’s not ideal and it’s not something that we plan to every game obviously believing we can get the right results. Sometimes, the opposition made it incredibly difficult for us. Lots of men behind the ball, playing a shape that was maybe easy for them to defend. It was tough, eventually, we got there in the end and that’s the important thing.”
Fowler praised the fighting spirit of his team as he said
“I don’t think we played a high line all game. The wingback went a little bit higher, putting a little bit of pressure on them. Obviously, when the ball comes back into our final third, I think we could and should defend better. It’s a long ball over the top. Maybe the keeper’s starting point could have been better, don’t know, I’ve yet to see the goal again. Now, it’s gone now. The lads showed a lot of fight and determination to get back into the game.”
Fowler shared his opinion on the newest addition to his squad, Ajay Chhetri.
“Let’s be honest, he is a good player, in fact, a very good player. He has trained with us once obviously played today’s game and he is a loan player so let’s let him enjoy his football. If he plays and he enjoys it then you know, we can discuss what’s around the corner for next season.”
He also expressed his opinion on how the team has been showing what they can do in multiple occasions, and also praised Kerala’s defense. He said
“Obviously, kerala have been on a good little run themselves as well, so regardless favourites or not, we don’t take too much.We go into the game we know what we need to do,sometimes the opposition play well, sometimes the opposition put you under a lot of pressure. We were under the hump at times in terms of the way they defended, you know lots of bodies behind the ball, you are coming back from a goal down, so again, there is a lot of positives and obviously lots of things to work on. Let’s be steady, we’ve shown everyone what we are about and now we are a team that doesn’t give up. I think we’ve proved up on more than one occasion”
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