SKIPPER ENCOURAGED BY IMPROVEMENTS
Posted on: Tue 01 Sep 2009
'Team are adjusting to new style of fottball', says Melchiot
Mario Melchiot gave his thoughts on Sunday's defeat at Everton, explaining that whilst things didn't quite go according to plan, the team are responding well to the new style of football being introduced by the gaffer.
"Everyone knows when you go to Goodison Park you're in for a tough time, and the first-half was difficult because we didn't create as much as we wanted to," said Melchiot.
"But the gaffer changed things round at half-time, told us a few things he wanted to change, and I think when we came back out we showed an improvement.
"I think there were times when we had to be more in control of certain situations and be a bit cleverer so as to not find yourself on the back-foot, but we'll learn from that for next time.
"We knew when we were leading that they (Everton) were going to attack and leave themselves exposed. I knew I would find space on my side and when I got hold of the ball we tried to break forward and catch them off-guard, but unfortunately we couldn't take advantage."
Latics' highlight came from Paul Scharner's goal not long into the second-half, the Austrian converting from Charles N'Zogbia's cross, and the skipper is encouraged to see more of the team aiming to get on the score-sheet..
He said, "It was good to see our midfield breaking into the area, and through that we got our goal from Paul (Scharner). When that doesn't happen it becomes difficult for the men out wide because we then have limited options and can't hurt the other team as much. Thankfully it worked well this time, and he took his goal really well.
"We're playing a totally different kind of football to what we've been used to in the past, and that takes time to adjust to. We shouldn't be worried at this point, we all need to continue improving and enjoying our football and make sure things pick up. It's an important year for us all and we all want to do our very best."
Mario Melchiot gave his thoughts on Sunday's defeat at Everton, explaining that whilst things didn't quite go according to plan, the team are responding well to the new style of football being introduced by the gaffer.
"Everyone knows when you go to Goodison Park you're in for a tough time, and the first-half was difficult because we didn't create as much as we wanted to," said Melchiot.
"But the gaffer changed things round at half-time, told us a few things he wanted to change, and I think when we came back out we showed an improvement.
"I think there were times when we had to be more in control of certain situations and be a bit cleverer so as to not find yourself on the back-foot, but we'll learn from that for next time.
"We knew when we were leading that they (Everton) were going to attack and leave themselves exposed. I knew I would find space on my side and when I got hold of the ball we tried to break forward and catch them off-guard, but unfortunately we couldn't take advantage."
Latics' highlight came from Paul Scharner's goal not long into the second-half, the Austrian converting from Charles N'Zogbia's cross, and the skipper is encouraged to see more of the team aiming to get on the score-sheet..
He said, "It was good to see our midfield breaking into the area, and through that we got our goal from Paul (Scharner). When that doesn't happen it becomes difficult for the men out wide because we then have limited options and can't hurt the other team as much. Thankfully it worked well this time, and he took his goal really well.
"We're playing a totally different kind of football to what we've been used to in the past, and that takes time to adjust to. We shouldn't be worried at this point, we all need to continue improving and enjoying our football and make sure things pick up. It's an important year for us all and we all want to do our very best."
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