Daniel Farke post Cardiff
Yes, disappointed if I am honest. Stats say it is a scandal we did not win. They had two shots on target. We had 25 shots. SEcond half one team was chasing the game. Looks like a power play. They were unbelievably effective in defence.
Praise and compliments for my lads. To equalise in the 95th minute after so many hits in the neck. So many things against us. Show this attitude. If you cannot win, then give your life to not lose it. Important for confidence, spirit, unity and mentality.
Hard to create chances?
Created an unbelievable amount of set-pieces and shooting positions. Difficult because we did not have our usual strikers available. Small players on the pitch. Could not work with high crosses. Found solutions. Problem was our defending for the two concessions was sloppy. They drooped deeper and deeper. If you score two goals in the second half and deal with these hits in the neck.
Cooper injury
We have to wait for further assessment. Rolled his ankle and we are checking him. We desperately need him
Gray and Byram
Bery careful to praise our lads too much, IF you promise me you will not tell Archie, I can tell you he was outstanding. To deliver such a mature performance. Story of the game not easy. Not perfect, slight mistakes in positioning, but for such a young lad it was top-class. He can be proud of this tonight.
Sam: thought about starting him. Injured for a long time last season. Felt 90 might have been too much for him.
How to deal with deep defences
We controlled their counters. Sloppy with the first goal on their left wing. Not able to control the death in a proper way.
Cardiff has defended really well. Proper defenders. Well organised. Most important topic is we are solid in defence. Only thing I can criticise is those concessions.
Difference in having a proper striker there?
We need goals all over the pitch. More goals in midfield too. Happy Cree was able to be there with crucial goal. Want my CBs to be there with goals at set-pieces. As soon as Bamford, Rutter and Joseph are available they will offer more striker goals.
Even without a natural born goal scorer we could score twice and create so many chances
What was wrong with your defending?
Nothing major in the tactics. Crysencio was injured in the first goal. Willy lost the winger at his back. Comms not great between him and Luke. Second goal was give and go. Have to follow the runner, not the ball. Happens to young players with their naivety. My players will learn. Blocked first strike, deflected to the back post. No major tactical issue. Individual awareness and this is something we can fix quite quick.