Crawley Town lost 4-1 at Reading League One despite dominating all stats. Here is manager Rob Elliot after the game
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00:00Rob, thank you for joining us. I don't really know how to sum it up to be honest, it's a tricky result isn't it, because obviously 4-1 is disappointing but perhaps we should have called the game off a little bit earlier. How do you get your overall reflection on the game?
00:09Yeah, it's frustrating. I think it's frustrating because there's so many good moments, create so many opportunities and not just small opportunities, clear cut, getting into the penalty area, middle of the goal, I can't even count the times I was cleared off the line and blocks and whatnot.
00:27So yeah, frustration in that sense, the frustration, the big moments when the ball turns over, the transitions, we obviously let them in, set pieces and stuff like that.
00:38But ultimately we've just got to keep on getting better, keep working it because I think we can see today, I'm getting reaction from the fans at the end, we can see that we're nearly there, we just need to keep working and staying consistent.
00:49And cut out, I wouldn't say cut out, but learn from the things that are hurting us because with all that great play, all those chances, we come away 4-1.
01:00So I just think it's the understaffing of myself, the coaching team, the players and the little things we need to do at this level to make sure we turn that dominance and that great football into points and into results.
01:12Yeah, it's tricky, isn't it? Because these post-matches are always tough because after playing so well but losing by three goals, it doesn't seem fair, does it? Doesn't seem fair on you, doesn't seem fair on the players?
01:23Because a lot of them out there have put in some really good performances. So what is it, do you think, that needs to change? Is it literally just that sort of final element or is it sort of a mixture of everything?
01:31I think it's not that anything needs to change, we just need to get better at what we're doing because I genuinely believe the philosophy of this club and the way we play football.
01:38When we get it right, it's such a joy to watch and some of our individuals are so talented but we have got a very young team who haven't played loads of games.
01:46So it's about, it's my responsibility to help coach them, to help them understand, to get better in the little moments because the big moments when we play and when we're going forward is really exciting and we can really hurt teams.
01:56We've just got to be a little bit more ruthless in terms of the professional side. I've already known when the ball's got over the top, when we get in around the box in terms of our bodies, set pieces, all those things.
02:08We'll do that together and we'll make sure that we just keep improving because there's still a long way to go, we're still only in October and I genuinely believe we need to keep this consistency.
02:17But with working on the things we know we need to work on and getting better at that collectively, we definitely will be okay.
02:23And we'll see, hopefully turn these dominant performances and the opportunities into goals, into points, into wins.
02:30The one thing I'll say is that these players give this club everything. They work great, the effort they put in and the bravery to play.
02:38Sometimes it can be frustrating I suppose when it turns over but the bravery for these lads to do it and what they've given since we've come in for the last two weeks.
02:45We've got more than enough and we'll be fine. We've just got to stick to the process, keep working on it and keep making sure that we're able to be a bit more effective in both penalty boxes.
02:55But also understand the lads are getting more experience every time the game goes on.
03:00We get a lot of compliments don't we? I saw a lot of Reading fans at the end of the game even saying you were by far the better side throughout most of the game.
03:07Do you then use that as motivation for the players because I can imagine it's hopeful in there as they're getting clapped off even by the opposition fans knowing that they could have won the game.
03:17Do the lads have to use that as motivation?
03:19They should be extremely proud of that and the club should be. I know I am but also you want to walk away with one in the gate.
03:27We've got to get that balance between in my opinion trying to be the best football team in the league but also being the best in transitioning points into wins because then it gives us more confidence to do it and everything.
03:41It's not just since we've come in here previously as well as players but a lot of boarders have rightly so. We're in a tough moment in terms of results.
03:48We just need to make sure that we don't come away from the positives that are getting us the performances.
03:52We just need to work on the things that are allowing us to turn those performances into points.
03:56It's now the perfect time to have a game on Tuesday after a performance like that and playing so well.
04:01The word is frustration isn't it? I'm sure the lads are going to want to get out there again as soon as possible and fresh out and as you say turn these performances into points.
04:10100% and that's all we can do. We look to the next game. Can we get better from today? The things we need to get better at.
04:14Can we increase the things we did well and get better at those?
04:18We need to be ready to go for a tough week and we need to attack it in the right way.
04:22The one thing I think we'll always do is we'll be positive in everything we do.
04:25We'll try and do the right things. We'll try and play the right football. We want to play attacking football.
04:29Goals have been an issue previously but I genuinely believe there's a serious amount of goals in this team.
04:34When it clips we are going to hurt teams but we just need to stay consistent with it.
04:39I think I'd be really pleased if you asked the lads to do slightly different things in the final third and it's definitely working.
04:44Once we get that experience and that bit more of a clinical nature then I think the goals will come, the confidence will come and then we'll keep moving forward.
04:52I think we have to keep that identity of the club and the togetherness and the identity of it because it sets us apart and it's something that is special.
05:01But at the moment it's frustrating and we want to get to a point where we're not frustrated but it comes with hard work and being consistent.
05:07I think it says a lot doesn't it when the opposition goalkeeper gets the man of the match award.
05:11He's made some incredible saves, that one from Darcy when it's 2-1, that goes in. It's a very difficult game.
05:16There is an element of that as well. It's not just us not scoring the goals, we're being kept up by teams.
05:22There are two chances cleared off the line as well so a lot could have gone in our favour today.
05:26Yes, definitely and obviously I think that's the step up in the leagues.
05:29David Button has played in the Premier League, he's an unbelievable goalkeeper.
05:33So for Reading to be able to have him and Pereira who's on loan just probably shows where we are in golf in terms of club size.
05:42Do you know what, I'd take everything we've got and all the players we've got because we've got someone special here.
05:46It may be frustrating at the moment but I promise if we stay consistent and keep to the processes and keep doing the right things,
05:52we'll get there. Like you said, we're just in October so when we do get on and the games tick on,
05:58as long as we're getting better and better and the lads are giving me everything like they do, we'll be fine.
06:03Yes, 602 travelling fans as well today that stayed until the end again to show their support.
06:07I think it's clear for them to see how well we're playing on the pitch and feel comfortable about it.
06:12Oh definitely and I've got to say again, I know the reception we had after going over here and all the fans staying until the end to thank the players.
06:20The players gave absolutely everything.
06:22They all made mistakes, I made mistakes with the game, the set-up and everything.
06:26But when you've got supporters like that backing you and hopefully they're enjoying the football.
06:31I know the result is frustrating and I completely get that but hopefully we can see the players are obviously playing some of the most exciting football in the league.
06:38We just need to make sure that we're able to transition that into end product goals, points, clean sheets.
06:44It's not going to be easy, we've stepped into a really tough league and we need to make sure we just do the work.
06:49I think the players do the work, they keep buying in, which they are.
06:52They're an unbelievable bunch of human beings and I know it'll be absolutely fun.
06:56What do you say to the players after a game like that where you have dominated for such long periods and then come out with a result like that?
07:04You have to stay calm because you have emotional reactions after games sometimes and that can cloud all the good stuff.
07:11It can also maybe not give you the right assessment to be able to assess the lads.
07:20You just speak to them, be really clear in what we're saying in terms of what we need to do.
07:24But ultimately the work will be done tomorrow, Monday morning, in terms of the assessment and how we get better.
07:31Focus on the positives, how can we improve on the negatives and then keep working.
07:37You have to keep working, you have to keep doing the right things, you have to keep being consistent.
07:40Because if you keep chopping and changing in terms of shapes and formations in play, then it becomes muddy.
07:45What this club has been built on in the last few years, what Scott did and why I've come in and why this was such an attractive proposition is because of what you've seen today.
07:52But it's going to be hard work and that's something we're all going to need together because, like I said, what a fantastic bunch we've got.
07:59You look at the stats, I think every single stat you have dominated in today in terms of shots and goals.
08:06That shows that at some point it's got to click, doesn't it?
08:09Yes, it does.
08:10Yes, it does. I think, let's be honest with you, I'd rather have those stats.
08:13I haven't seen them clearly, but I think we had 20 shots and 65% possession of that.
08:17The good thing is we're converting possession into chances, so that's a positive.
08:20I think that's definitely been a positive since I've come in.
08:23We need to be more clinical, but we'll get better at that because the lads have taken on new information.
08:27Still things need to get better at.
08:29That's really positive, but obviously the biggest stat is the scoreline.
08:33We need to understand what we can do within the game to affect all the positive stats that we have and affect the full scoreline going forward.
08:39It's much easier losing every single game, but when you can see that all the ingredients are there,
08:50we just need to be able to keep working to make changes, make slight tweaks to get the outcome.
08:56Then we know we've at least got everything we need to from there.
09:00Word about Ronan Darcy, he was cancelled today.
09:03What does he bring to the side? I thought he was exceptional today.
09:07He should have scored, could have scored, but denied Ronan Darcy what a player he is, isn't he?
09:11He epitomises the club. I think he's just an unbelievable human being.
09:14He takes it so hard and he's so hard on himself.
09:17He wants the desire he has with everything.
09:19He's been absolutely superb since I've come in on and off the pitch.
09:23He's really driven the lads.
09:25It's been a big change for him personally, but Ronan Darcy is going to play at a higher level.
09:32I have no doubt about that.
09:34He's such an important part of the team, the way he works, the takeaways of the football, the work he puts in.
09:40It's just incredible.
09:42You add his ability to that and his desire and everything, his intelligence on the game.
09:46It's so exciting to be able to work with a player like that and be able to watch a player like that.
09:50But that doesn't mean he's cracked it.
09:52In the nicest possible sense, he wants to learn, he wants to get better.
09:55The goals will come, the chances will come, the amount of opportunities he creates.
10:00On a simple side note, taking away that I was watching Darcy today,
10:04we put him higher up in that number 10 because we think he's so influential and we do break the lines.
10:09He was. He was brilliant.
10:11We have got so much attacking talent.
10:12We just need to make sure that we keep doing the right things.
10:15Darcy and all the other boys are such a big part of that.
10:18Just a quick word, you signed Tyrese John Gilles yesterday.
10:21What's he going to bring to the club?
10:23I think he's just going to bring real quality, technicality and power and understanding.
10:27You get to this stage of the season when, unfortunately, he had a bad injury last year.
10:32He's probably going to be a few weeks or a couple of weeks away.
10:34But when a player of his quality comes available, you can't say no.
10:38I think it adds to the strength and the depth of the squad.
10:40He's been on the grass a little bit and the things that we've seen of him have been really, really good.
10:44I think he really will add in terms of the final third because he can play as a nine,
10:48he can play as a ten, he can play wide.
10:50Even as a midfielder, he's got that versatility.
10:52I think it's a tough one season, especially when the windows are shut.
10:56Adding that quality was fantastic.
10:59For me, it was a really good bit of business.
11:01Ricky, who does the S&C and the sports and the performances here, is absolutely exceptional.
11:06The way he keeps the players robust in the last couple of years.
11:09We'll get a tie back playing football and hopefully we've got a lot to conquer.
11:13Brilliant. Thanks, Rob.
11:14No worries.