Planet Swans ArchivesMichael Laudrup says he was not disappointed with the performance of his players despite the 2-0 loss at Aston Villa
“It was going to happen one day,” said Laudrup after a first loss following wins over QPR and West Ham and a draw with Sunderland.
“And looking at this game we could see the difference between the goalkeeper making a great save to stop us scoring and then five minutes later them getting the goal of the day. In the end it makes a huge difference.
“You can always analyse the game but until the last 20 minutes we tried to play the way we are used to and created five or six chances, the two Guzan saved and one for Danny Graham at the end of the first-half.
“Then in the last 20 minutes we had to play with much more risk and we had a lot of offensive players on the field, so we gave away some space and let them have more possibilities.
“But ultimately we can take it down to one thing – we weren’t that good in the finishing, or weren’t lucky perhaps.
“In the other three games we scored ten goals, we had five or six chances which you can expect, but we didn’t score and that’s why we lost.
“But I can’t say I’m disappointed with the performance of the players.
“I can’t say we didn’t play with possession and I’d be much more worried losing 1-0 and we didn’t create one chance.
“But we created chances and were not giving way that much until we changed on around 70 minutes.
“We will lose games, but it is important that we continue to create chances and that we are always in games and we don’t give up and say ‘we’re not here’ even if we lose games.
“I was not surprised by Villa, that they were motivated, running and fighting for 90 minutes as they did. After one point from the first three games, giving maybe more than 100%, that’s what expected and that’s what they did.
“Bur in the first half, or first 60 minutes even, they didn’t have that many chances – they had a fantastic goal, one we could have scored five minutes earlier if not for their goalkeeper.”
Laudrup also defended Ashley Williams after his mistake gifted Villa their second goal of the afternoon
“He had a kick but he didn’t want to leave the pitch. To lose severely like he did with Wales hurt but he did well for us.
“Of course he made a mistake at the end but 1-0 or 2-0 doesn’t make a difference.
“I told him it is better everything happens that way in one week and knowing him I am sure he will come back after a couple of days with his family and have a great game against Everton.”
