Defence Holds Firm

by Scott Thornberry - 15th November 2009

Steve Staunton has demanded that his players take their home form with them to away fixtures after he saw his team win their second home game in a row.

Speaking to the press after the game the Irishman stated how he was pleased to see his team defend from the front and also start playing football before they go 3 goals behind.

"It was an unusual position for us to be in, to score first and to score so early. We have not been in that position before but full credit to the eleven who started and those who came on because they defended for their lives. I didn't think we would be defending on the edge of our box and for so long but they did their jobs and if we had looked after the ball a little more we could have had some more opportunities."

"We tried to get them moving up and moving forward but the two centre halves, and the back four, I thought were outstanding. That is not to say the rest weren't but we have to just keep a hold of the ball a little bit more. That would give them a chance to come out and get a little higher up the pitch. You get games like that though and the most pleasing aspect is that they never cut through us."

"I must admit I didn't see the set piece which led to the goal. I turned around and saw the one two with Curtis. It was a lovely touch inside and nice calm finish. That is two home games and two wins. We need to transfer that into our away form. We need to be more clinical in our finishing and our defending. I've said that all alone. It is the only thing which has let us down. I thought we were a much tighter unit today. We defended from the front, the midfielders put in a great shift and the defence was outstanding."