Javi Gracia post Palace
I cannot explain because we played a very good first half. It's true conceding the drawing goal before half-time, changes the game, but in that half-time we tried to improve the things we did well in the first half. Defending set-pieces to be more solid. Keep doing things we did really well. First half we were solid defending, good distances to defend, being compact, creating chances, many shots on target. Feeling was good and it was our moment, the moment we could kill the game. After that, the second half was tough for us. Conceding goals, not so aggressive, soft in many actions and after that it's difficult to defend many players Palace have because wth distances they are very good. Hard for us.
Energy had gone?
The team has competed really well in all the games. Winning, losing, drawing, but in all genes competed well. We deserved the result we got or maybe even better. First half was really good and we deserved something more, but in the second we did not keep the same level as the games before. We have to learn something from today. Learn when we are playing well we are able to beat anyone. If we didn't do it, we know what can happen/
Learn more about your players?
I know them very well. I don't need to win or lose to know more about them. I believe in them and trust them. This situation we are going to solve together. We lose together today and we prepare for the next game together
Change your prep for Liverpool?
No, prepare as usual.
Ayling - why?
He is trying to help the team and like the rest of the players he tries to do his best. In this moment, I don't want to to give my personal opinion about one player because today, more than ever, I want to be close to my players
How do you stop a defeat like that damaging morale?
We have to be disappointed today and then tomorrow we learn from it. Prepare for the next game and then the same way we forgot our win against Forest, we do it in the next week
Time to switch off before Liverpool?
After the last days, when we had many games, the players need to rest a little and try to recover because they worked hard for the last few days. Now we have time until the next game, we have time to recover, rest and train hard.
Did the players allow the equaliser to affect them psychologically?
That was the key. We did not defend well, but before that it was corners and free-kicks with chances for them. Created chances from set-plays, but that was the key. Did not take chances. Conceded and that's what I tried to tell the players.
Such a blow to the confidence?
Yes. When you win all the players are in a good mood, but it's something we have to accept. Before this game, I told the players there are many games they did not win from eight or five games. We have to keep our mentality strong and believe in the work we are doing. Be confident in the hard work and this week I am sure we are going to compete for all the games the same way.