Every word of the manager's post-match press conference following last night's 3-0 win against Motherwell.
How do you look back on the game?
It’s three points, a clean sheet, that was it. But we were disjointed again, It wasn’t free-flowing, I won’t sit here and pull the wool over anyone’s eyes. It wasn’t what I wanted it to be. If you had said to me we would take 12 points from these four games, with a couple of clean sheets leading into the next game, I would have taken it. I would have liked us to be playing with a bit more rhythm. But it’s another three points and a clean sheet with Ben [Davies] and Connor [Goldson] on the pitch. We need to find some rhythm quickly or we need to be much better out of possession. Because we are giving away the passes unopposed. That is a concern because it’s leaving us vulnerable. It’s not something I expected so it’s an area I have to work on in the next three or four days. January is a huge month, there’s a derby, a cup semi-final and a big cup game away and we know we need to improve. Right now I would take results over performances but I know, over time, that we have to play better. The fans want to be excited and entertained. The players want the same.
How is Alfredo Morelos?
We had a bit of a red flag after the Aberdeen game, to be fair. He was due to come off just as we scored the third goal because he felt some tightness in his hamstring. So obviously he missed the Ross County game, only came on for the last 30 minutes, came on and felt fine, so we started him tonight. I believe it’s tightness. So hopefully he’s come off at the right time before it’s anything bigger. He’s had to go to the well because we’ve had very limited options there with Kemar [Roofe] and Antonio [Colak] out. They’re both fit to go. They’re physically fit, in terms of training. But whether they’ve got 90 minutes in them at this moment in time, you would probably say no. So it’s good to have them back. If Alfredo is not ready, they will share the minutes and play. I think it’s important that they are back for us. But it was nice to see Alfredo score a goal for us.
Is that a big concern?
It is what it is. Since I’ve come in, there have been quite a few concerns, to be honest, starting with no centre-backs, then no left-backs. The team selection tonight was with a view to offloading one or two, then the subs were about that as well, to get us to where we want to be with everyone fit and available. I think Antonio and Kemar only need a moment to change the game so it is nice to have them. Ideally, it would be off the bench.
What did you make of Borna Barisic's showing?
We have lacked the balance. Adam Devine has been terrific but the balance on the left side is better with a left foot. The cross for the first goal was outstanding and everyone sees what we have been missing. It is great to have him back.”
How pleased are you with Malik Tillman?
He scores a very good goal which is good. I am moving him around a bit to find his best position. I am playing him as a No.8 as I think that is where he can reach his full potential. I prefer him as an eight and I won’t stop trying him there. He came up with a goal and he always has a moment in every game.
How do you get that confidence back?
We are not playing to our potential and it is on me to improve that. We needed to win the four games and we have won them. It is not perfect but if it was perfect I wouldn’t be sitting here. It is clear we have work to do and it is important I am honest with them. As a group, we are not where I want to be right now. Four wins on the bounce is good for any team so you would think we are moving forward. My honesty might sting but I am trying to push towards the standards they have set themselves previously. The team I left had lost one in 52 in the league and they have lost one in 48 at home. But, we want to play with more swagger, more style and more control. This is a team who were capable of beating Leipzig and Dortmund six months ago so it is in them.
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