Slade, Hodgson and Butcher

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 22/08/2005

RUSSELL Slade, like everyone else, was disappointed about Town's performance on Saturday against Darlington saying unsurprisingly; "Obviously I am very disappointed with that performance."

"I think that the first period was very even. I've looked at the video already and chances were few and far between. The best chance for us was Michael Reddy's double chance."

In an interview with Mariners Net he continued; "There were a few plusses in that period really, Bolland did well for us -I was pleased with his performance. A few others fell below par today."

"Second period, again there was not a lot in the game, they've shown a little bit more composure on the ball, the sort of composure that we've been looking for. We showed it in our last performance at Bristol Rovers but it was missing today."

"I think that when you have a bad day at the office, like we did today, it is important that you try and grind something out of the game - I was disappointed that we lost to Darlington with a penalty decision."

"Goals change matches and to get a goal in the first half would have been a great boost for us. It wasn't to be and the longer the game went on at nil-nil the more frustrated we became. Things then got away from us and it wasn't until Rob Jones' late header did we really look like troubling the keeper."

The penalties?

"The first one, is just fifty-fifty, they've both got hold of each other. As the home side you would not expect to be given them - that was a little bit harsh."

"The second one, a trip by Tom was harsh. I've watched them six or seven times now. You may argue on that they are given but he has lost control of the ball and Tom appears to have stood his ground. He's gone over him and Tom has picked up his second yellow - that's unfortunate for him." Crane's Sending off?

"If Tony has used foul and abusive language to the linesman then he deserves to be punished. He's punished us and he'll be punished as well."

"We now need a performance at Pride Park. We need to get things back at Derby on Wednesday. We've then got a very difficult trip to Barnet on Saturday."

"They've left the door open after today's performance. I've backed them. I've been loyal to them, but we need to get better than that now," he concluded.

Dave Hodgson Quakers boss had no problems about the penalties telling his official site; "I thought they were penalties. I was disappointed Clyde missed his penalty as he needed a goal. There is nobody who can strike a ball at this football club, that I've ever seen, with power like he can. Yet he continually tries to place his penalties. I told him I was already making the substitution whether he scored or not and what I've said to the players is that it was not just about the subs going on but it was about the starting eleven."

"After the first ten minutes of the second half I thought we struggled to get into it but the work rate was fantastic. All that helps when you put fresh legs on at the end because you know the opposition are going to be tired."

"That performance there was the same that we put in at Rushden & Diamonds and the same performance we put in against Stockport" One of the highlights of the game was the performance of Anthony Peacock in midfield. "I hope his parents are here today or if they are not and they are listening because they've got to be proud of the little fella because he was fantastic."

Proc (Mark Proctor) is a big believer in the fella and I have never questioned his football ability. I was worried how he would do in a ninety minute game on a Saturday afternoon and today he has answered that without doubt. He gave the ball away twice in the entire ninety minutes and to be honest that is what we need. If we are going to play football the way we want to play it we need people who keep the ball."

It would be rare for the two managers to agree so final word goes to Tony Butcher to sum it all up. He only needed one paragraph!

"It really is getting tedious. Town don't create anything, relying on Reddy's ability to run quickly and the big defenders coming up for set pieces. Darlington were another opponent who at least tried to keep hold of the ball, to pass, to move, to play some football. They easily repelled Town. Doesn't everyone at Blundell Park? The attendance figures are tolling the bell, and so is the sound of the crowd."

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