Scott Parker press conference following Sunderland defeat
Scott Parker's full post match press conference following the defeat to Sunderland.
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00:00What's your reaction to your first defeat of the season?
00:02I think, initially, obviously disappointed with the result.
00:05We came here today obviously wanting to, first and foremost, get a result
00:10and obviously bitterly disappointed we've not managed to do that.
00:13Obviously, playing against a very good side,
00:17same record as us leading into the game, obviously undefeated.
00:21We just felt, for large parts, we just lacked a little something today.
00:25We fought in both phases.
00:26Look, we've started the season very, very well in that sense,
00:29but for our possession, we lacked a little something.
00:31And certainly in possession, we didn't really create
00:34and wasn't a real threat in certain moments, really.
00:36So, we knew what the place would be like here.
00:39The place was going to be rocking.
00:40And certainly early, early, early parts of the game,
00:44we struggled with that and never really got a foot hold or real control in the game.
00:49And then when we did get control,
00:50we just lacked an intensity about us, to be fair, and I think that's fair to say.
00:54So, yeah.
00:56Would you put that down to us,
00:57having at least 15 per cent possession but not having too many clear-cut chances?
01:01Yeah, I mean, look, my riding factor at this point in time,
01:04obviously, I need to go over the game again and watch back.
01:07But, yeah, we never really competed in certain moments
01:11and we wasn't able to sustain any sort of amount of pressure on Sunderland,
01:15to be fair, and they did very well.
01:17They're a good side.
01:18But, yeah, we just lacked something today.
01:21And I think that was clear for everyone to see.
01:23Obviously, it's been a tough week in that sense,
01:26and some changes today as well.
01:28And probably that had a bit of a factor on it as well.
01:30Did you see this coming after how well you started this evening?
01:34Well, you always, in professional sport,
01:36you can always lose football matches.
01:37And I get that in a team like we're in,
01:44obviously, you lose a game and everyone is really drastic.
01:47The facts are you're going to lose football matches.
01:49That's where we are.
01:50So, did I see it coming?
01:52I probably didn't see elements of the performance coming, no.
01:55But, like I said, there's certain elements
01:57what may be, is that a factor in that?
02:01So, yeah, we'll reboot and we'll go again.
02:03You've been off, didn't you, Ali, on at the end there to try and work for them?
02:06Was that just the last further time?
02:07Was that just maybe quickly, you haven't got the squad depth you maybe did?
02:11Yeah, I mean, look, yeah, I think, you know, we struggled a little bit
02:14with the depth of the squad.
02:15We were very limited today to really make changes
02:19and try and force a game, really.
02:21I think that was clear to see.
02:24And that's just where we currently are at this present moment in time,
02:26with a transfer window opening, obviously,
02:29that's the position we find ourselves in.
02:31So, try to give it a go or change something at the back end of the game
02:36to try and get us back in it and get an equaliser in it.
02:38It obviously didn't work in that sense.
02:40Yeah, no Josh Cullum, no Luke Kolasia today.
02:42What was that?
02:43Nox, yeah.
02:44So, I wasn't involved today due to injuries.
02:47How serious?
02:49Yeah, but both minor-ish, maybe Josh a little bit longer.
02:54Hopefully, we can try and get him back for Saturday's game.
02:57But again, we'll have to see how he comes in on Monday regarding that.
03:00And then Daniel Edson, they were back there for us as well?
03:04Yeah, just in terms of where they currently are,
03:07in terms of their state and how they see it this year.
03:13So, we decided that it was probably best that they weren't involved today.
03:18And yeah, that's where that is.
03:21How big is next week now?
03:22I know two teams on the bench and three ubers as well.
03:24How important is it?
03:25Can you get it right this week?
03:26Yeah, it's a big week for us, of course.
03:28And everyone at the football club is working tirelessly in both aspects
03:33to try and bring some players in.
03:36And no doubt players will be leaving.
03:38I think I've said it from the outset,
03:41players that don't want to be at the football club and don't want to be around it,
03:44then it's clear that they don't need to.
03:47That's not what we're going to try and develop here.
03:50We want people here that ultimately want to be part of this and this journey.
03:54And there's a couple of little bumps along that way, really.
03:57So, hopefully, we can bring some players in this week.
04:00Like I said, people, owners and the guys here,
04:03recruitment and Matt, are doing everything in their power to try and get players in.
04:09And, like I said, no doubt that some players will be leaving.
04:12You said that you'd be bumped in the road if you wanted to see a reaction now from a special to the big game next week.
04:17Yeah, look, these are the best times, really, to be quite honest.
04:20The real test of a character and the test of a human being is during adversity.
04:24And that's just the cold hard facts, really.
04:26So, we've had a little bump here today.
04:29We've had a jab on the nose.
04:30There's things that we need to improve and we need to get better at.
04:33The real test for me now in learning about people and learning about this group is how we come out of this, really.
04:38So, the residing factor in times when you have a bad result,
04:42and I don't want to make this into a crisis because it's far from it.
04:44We've lost the game against Sunderland,
04:47who are a very good side.
04:49So, but at the same time, we need to learn from it and we need to improve.
04:54Thanks, Matt. Michael?
04:55I was just going to ask you, from an Irish perspective, how are you seeing Josh Collins?
05:02Yeah, he'll be touch and go for maybe Saturday.
05:06Hopefully, if he comes out of the weekend, in terms of where we are, it's a slight issue.
05:11Hopefully, he can make Saturday.
05:13If not, he'll be ready for it after international break.
05:16Will he be ready for it? Will he be available for the international break?
05:22Well, if he don't play Saturday, he won't be ready for Ireland, no.
05:25What about Darrell Shea?
05:30Yeah, Darrell Shea will be leaving.
05:32Yeah, he'll be leaving the football club, Darrell, so, yeah.
05:36He ain't done yet, so once it comes out, you'll see that.
05:41From the Irish perspective on that, we'll come to the front then.
05:46You made your debut as a young player back in the day, obviously,
05:49Chris Reaper treading a similar pattern.
05:50What did you make of him today and his performance as well?
05:53Yeah, a very good player, a young player and we've done very well and started the season very well.
05:58So, really impressed.
06:00A young team, a dynamic team as well.
06:02So, yeah, I was really impressed.