Eddie Howe believes two lapses and a lack of cutting edge cost us in yesterday’s final – but he’s “proud” and taking plenty of positives from the performance.
The boss feels we “played really well between both boxes” and gave it our all, feeling it was a “cruel” result decided on small margins.
We had 61% possession and more shots than Man Utd, however we barely tested David De Gea after Allan Saint-Maximin’s early effort and struggled to find a way past a Red Devils defence who sat deep in the second half after surging into a two-goal lead before the break.
Howe accepts we “need to work on” our play around the box and in the final third, suggesting this is a key area we must work on to “bridge that gap” at the highest level.
He apologised to fans, saying he’s “truly sorry” no silverware would be returning to Tyneside this time round, but thanks supporters for their unconditional support before, during and after the game, revealing how much it meant to him and his players to see thousands of Geordies cheering on the team bus as it arrived at Wembley.
Here’s what Howe’s had to say on all of the above, starting with his assessment of the game itself…
Howe on our performance and the result:
“We played really well between both boxes today, we gave everything but we just didn’t get those breaks at both ends. We should have defended the free-kick better and then the second goal is a killer.
“”I’m proud of the players today. We did everything to get back in the game. We had chances but couldn’t take them and that’s why we lost.
“No complaints with how we played, obviously the scoreline doesn’t say that, and that’s where football can be cruel.
“Individually and collectively I thought we played well but it just didn’t happen in the box and we need to work on that.
“I can’t take positives from losing but I can from the performance. They’ve been committed and give everything for the club. I’m sorry we couldn’t deliver for the fans today.
“The competition we are in now is at a very high level and we need to bridge that gap. Games are decided by small margins so we need to improve and hopefully we can enjoy more days like this.
“It is a process, we want to be here on a regular basis. There is a long way to go to be the team we want to be.
“I thought we were in it right until the end but the goal never came for us. We probably had the best chances at the start of the match. We can be proud of our performance but we were not clinical enough.
Howe on the “exceptional” support from fans and how it impacted his players:
“We felt nothing but support and love which is so so important for the players to feel when they enter the pitch.
“Where they play in an environment where they can express themselves. I can categorically tell you they felt that today.
“The scenes when driving in with the bus today were exceptional. Exceptional support, I can’t say anything else really. My words don’t do it justice but a big thank you for that.
“It’s felt and acknowledged from our perspective and warmly received.”
While we have made progress:-
We have lacked a cutting edge since the World Cup, Wilson was on fire to get into the England squad, since then has showed nothing up front, unfortunately Almiron just runs around like he used to and only uses his right foot to stand on, when coaches talk about working on things what do they actually work on with Almiron?
Centre backs who should be a threat from set pieces yet can’t head a ball on target!
Joseph(Quote)