Youth Team Boss describes 3-1 defeat to Burnley...
Graham Biggs felt his players didn’t get their just rewards after conceding three late goals in Saturday's defeat to Burnley.Tobias Hayles-Docherty had put the young Saddlers ahead at the break but the Clarets rallied in the last ten minutes to turn the game on its head.
“The boys trained all week and we’ve had to change the schedule around with our trip to Rochdale being postponed,” explained Biggs. “Their application and effort has been outstanding all week and the result wasn’t a reflection of their endeavor.
“The game started with a really high tempo without either side settling into a proper rhythm or controlling the game. There was lots of commitment and effort leading up to our goal which was really pleasing.
“We matched them in terms of work rate and got our noses in front with a bit of quality. Lezion Cela produced a superb bit of play to find Tobias with a diagonal pass and his touch took it past the defender before finishing under the keeper.
“So at half time we were pleased with the lads but knew we couldn’t let our standards drop. Burnley are a good side and the second half was always going to be a test.
“We introduced Mitch Candling for Dan O’Sullivan and to the players credit we were creating the better chances. Will Shorrock was denied by a combination of defenders and the keeper and Ashley Maddocks headed over from a corner.
“The keeper kept them in it when he saved with his feet from Mitch Candling but we felt that our shape, pressing and organization at that time was good.
“Then in the last ten minutes the game turned on its head.
“We didn’t pick up our markers from a corner and it allowed Burnley to equalise so the momentum then shifts their way.
“Then in a crazy few minutes we commit a foul on the edge of our area which they convert and as we committed lads forward to get a equaliser, they broke in injury time with a straight ball down the middle of the pitch to make it 3-1.
“It was a disappointing result after a real workman-like shift from the boys.
“The scoreline doesn't reflect our performance on the day and it’s very much a learning curve for our young boys.
“They need to understand the importance of set-plays and in-game management. It’s a harsh lesson but we’ll pick ourselves up and prepare for a long away trip to Carlisle next week.”