A 2-1 win over Mansfield Town at the One Call Stadium was enough to book our place in the last eight of the Emirates FA Cup.
Goals from Noni Madueke and Ebere Eze were enough for the win, on a day when Max Dowman became our youngest ever FA Cup player, and fellow 16 year old Marli Salmon also played. After the game the manager met the media, and was asked about the performance, the young players, starting with a back three, injuries and more.
Here’s a full transcript from his post-match press conference…
On how impressed he was with Mansfield Town…
Well, it was a great occasion. I think that game exemplifies the history of the FA Cup, the difficulty of that and the beauty of that. First of all, because they made it really hard, so big credit to Nigel and the team and the way they played. Because of the pitch, they have to adapt as well, because of the energy that the supporters put in, which I think was extraordinary. The intensity, the banter at times, the interactions, and the belief that they put in towards the team. And then because you really have to earn it. And we had moments where it should have been two or three, when you don’t close the games and they have hope and belief, that becomes more and more dangerous. And after they equalised in the game, you really have to dig in to earn the right to win.
On Max Dowman’s performance…
Well, I’m very proud of him, very proud as well of Marli, obviously, two 16-year-olds, starting in the FA Cup.That tells us a lot about them, their personality and the quality that they have. And Max, yeah I think he was exceptional.
On how Max and Marli Salmon adapted to the game…
Well, first of all, congratulations to them, because to make their (full) debuts in the FA Cup, I think Max is the youngest ever in the competition, and this competition has been going on for a while. So, it tells you how difficult that is. And I’m very proud of them, I hope Jaden enjoyed it the same with their debut. And to continue to work is just the first step for them, and there’s plenty more to come.
On what he said to Salmon after Mansfield’s goal…
Yeah, I have to watch it back, but I could sense that he was responsible. It is good in a way, but don’t lose perspective, because everyone that’s been in that room, that has been at this level, has made an error, a mistake or a situation leading to a goal, but that’s not important. The important thing is the way he played, and some of the things that he’s done on the pitch. I think that’s much more important than the other parts.
On playing a back three for the first time in four-and-a-half years…
The players that are available, and if we want to manage the load and certain issues that we had in the team, we have to adapt to that. And sometimes it’s not ideal when you have a day to prepare, but as well, it was a challenge for all of us to see how we could adapt to that, which I expected were very difficult circumstances.
On how Max’s ball control on the pitch….
Yes, and quality. Because when the ball is bouncing all over the place and you have people in your back, the way he handles time and space and the touches that he takes, it’s just incredible. Especially at the speed that he delivers those actions, but that tells you the talent that we have.
On Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori both coming off…
Both of them, they had little niggles, they weren’t comfortable to continue. And we knew that this could be a possibility, especially in the conditions that we’re playing today. So, we have to take them off.
On the players that didn’t travel…
Well, they had issues and they’ve been carrying issues. And the amount of games that we are playing, it’s obviously super demanding. And it was the only time to try to make sure that we can clean those issues that they’re having to start the next sequence of two weeks before the break in the best possible way. We had to make those decisions.
On changing our tactics….
Because we adapt to the opposition, and the most important thing is how we can help them to score a goal in any situation. And in the corners, it’s exactly the same.
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