Post by Salem6 on Oct 15, 2003 8:55:40 GMT
Niedzwiecki: 'Tavlaridis was outstanding at the back'[/u]
ARSENAL 2-2 COVENTRY CITY
Premier Reserve League
Underhill, Barnet FC
Monday October 14
Match Report
EDDIE NIEDZWIECKI
... on the game
"Coventry were bigger and stronger than us. They gave us some problems with set-plays and long balls coming in. But we coped with it quite well and Stathis Tavlaridis was outstanding at the back.
"We had to earn the right to play and when we got the ball down we looked quite good. So to go 2-0 up and then throw it away is quite disappointing. We made the cardinal sin of going to sleep after we scored. Getting a goal straight away put them on the front foot and us on the back foot. Unfortunately we could not hold on.
"We will be playing against sides who are bigger than us and we will have to cope with it. I'll have to do a bit of homework and a bit of work on the training field too."
... on young Stephen Bradley and John Spicer in midfield
"I swapped them over after about 20 minutes. John made some telling runs and Stephen got the ball down and put some nice movements together."
... on Coventry's goals
"Their lad took the first one well but we did not defend the cross very well. And we should have defended the free-kick better [for their second goal].
"But you go 2-0 up and you hope we'll move the ball and stay positive. Then, all of a sudden, we stopped doing those things. I told them that afterwards and said I was disappointed for them. You can't afford to give away bad goals in any standard of football.
"But, again, we have seen some young players get more experience in the reserves. And that is what it is all about - development."
