Boss bemoans his side's inability to kill off game
NIGEL Clough pointed to Derby County's failure to capitalise when on top against Birmingham City as the main reason for the 3-1 defeat.
Clough bemoaned the fact his team missed the opportunity to kill the game off when they had control of the Championship contest at St Andrew's.
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Nigel Clough2
Ben Davies' goal put them ahead in the first half as Birmingham struggled.
Blues fans booed their team off at the break but Birmingham improved in the second half and hit back to take the points.
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"We didn't do enough to get more than the one goal, especially in the first half," said Clough.
"We have to do more to get that second goal.
"When you are on top, like we were in the first half, it isn't going to stay like that for 90 minutes in Championship games.
"We should have done more in terms of going to get that second goal. Players have to sense when it is on to go and get goals and when a team are struggling for confidence at home and I don't think we sensed that in the first half.
"That is when the good sides, sides with more experienced players, go and kill the game off.
"With the inexperience in our team, we don't quite sense that."
Derby have not won in eight matches and have collected only four points from 24.
"Our performances have been good and you couldn't say it was a bad performance at Birmingham," said Clough.
"But there is a reason why we are not getting points and not killing off games is one of the reasons.
"At Cardiff the other night we should have got more than one goal, given the situations we had.
"One goal is very rarely enough to win a game in the Championship.
"Their goalkeeper made a brilliant save just before half-time from Chris Martin and then they got a bit fortunate with a block. If one of them had gone in, it might have been different but we still should have done better in the second half.
"Their substitutes livened things up and Birmingham hit the bar and Zigic had a header at the far post but generally speaking, the goalkeeper (Adam Legzdins) had very little to do and we conceded three goals!
"We told the players at half-time that Birmingham would come and put us under pressure and we should have defended from the front.
"But we didn't do that well enough.
"We offered them encouragement in the second half after they had been booed off at half-time."
3 Comments
by karina05
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 11:52PM
“The big phrase here is ' his side.' clough's. I Dont bemoan the players they all seem to put in a shift. No complaints. I bemoan clough's performance as manager.”
by WIKLOW
Monday, March 11 2013, 8:21PM
“Article should read: "We are not really very good. I cant even motivate the players, mid you I find it difficult to motivate myself let alone them.
I like being predictable, that we can all remember what we are supposed to do. The downside is that other teams work us out easy enough but hey that's life.
I would like some new players but the board wont let me have any more money because they dont have any and even if they did I am not sure I would make the right signing and even if I did I might fall out with him anyway.
Dont blame me for the teams failings...it's their fault.
If you hear of any players going just let me know as long as they are not foreign and I will check them out. Meanwhile, keep supporting us through thin and thinner."”
by karina05
Monday, March 11 2013, 6:26PM
“Should have, could have, would have. The sad tune of Nigel Clough. Life is unfair. There has barely been a game all season we deserved to lose, or indeed in four years. We should stick with Nigel. Who knows his luck just might turn.”