City of Liverpool manager Michael Ellison laments fine margins but notices change after Buxton disappointment
The Purps manager saw positive signs in their back-to-back 1-0 defeats after they were easily dismantled by Buxton in the FA Cup, two weeks ago.
But for City of, utilising the opportunities in the opposition box was the latest mishap in their performance after rueing poor defensive shape and mistakes for previous misdemeanours.
They face Trafford on Saturday looking to put the narrow Colne and 1874 Northwich defeats behind them
“I was critical after the Buxton performance, I was disappointed and after the game on Tuesday in the heat of the moment I was critical. When you watch the video back and look at the chances we created, it’s fine margins, a mistake for their goal that was their only shot on target, we don’t take our chances.
“For large parts of the games I thought we were the better side in both. I thought we edged Tuesday night, they were organised, defended well, think their goal took two deflections on the way in and you’re thinking ‘how’s your luck?’ I thought we had three clear cut chances but it was four or five then the chance right at the end falls to James Murphy and he slices it wide and you think it’s not our time.
“Narrow defeat, small margins, still improvements to be made. Again, we’ve had to shuffle the pack, couple of lads carrying knocks, it’s the same for most teams and managers, reshuffled but I at least thought we deserved something out the game on Tuesday and again on Saturday, sometimes go in our favour.
“The key thing is not to panic, losing back-to-back is something that never really happened to me, I think it’s how to lose the games.
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“The Buxton one was unacceptable and we dealt with that, so that’s the time where people need telling in no uncertain terms. The last two performances maybe the intensity wasn’t quite there as it was on Saturday but that’s because you’re playing back to back games.
“The thing is we’re creating chances but the game will always boil down to what you do in both boxes. They got a bit of luck with the goal, we didn’t take our chances and that’s simply it. There’s no magic formula, there’s no magic tactical solution, it’s just about working hard, keep doing ugly things well.
“Take our chances early doors and I think we win comfortably. The message is keep doing what we’re doing, have a bit more composure in both boxes and hopefully luck will change for you.
“It is a case of Tuesday’s gone, you have to forget about it and improve, there is bits to improve. Trafford are a very good side but there is no easy games in this league and if you’re not at it 100 per cent, you’ll lose.
“It’s important on Saturday, we turn up and have that little bit of luck you need and we get three points and then we move on. That’s the plan.”
