Laudrup calls on players to stop the rot next Saturday

Speaking to the Western Mail tonight Laudrup said:

“We said before the game about set-pieces and we did well with about eight or nine of them,” said Laudrup, who claimed the loss was a carbon-copy of last year’s defeat at the same ground. “But of course you cannot stop every corner and that is where they got their first goal.

“And I think we could have kept the ball a bit longer so when we lost it it was higher up the pitch because when we lost the ball near our 18 yard box we made it more difficult for us.

“It feels perhaps like it is de-ja-vu from last season from the last two games with both Everton and Stoke.

“I did think we were much better in the second-half, especially with our tempo but we didn’t create enough chances like we have done in recent games, even when we have lost.

“We only had two or three which is not what we are used to. I think we realise we have to admit the numbers don’t lie and it is three games with no wins and no goals.

“But our next two games are home games and we all know how important the points are for us at home and we need them.

“We have played six games and the seven points we have is acceptable, but we know getting into second round of six games we need at least the same return of points. We have to start well with two home games.

“Life for a side like us in the Premier League will always be a rollercoaster. After a couple of games everything is positive and now this – but this is a long journey and it will be a marathon until May.”

Laudrup suggested he is in no mood to press the panic button, claiming that his side will improve the longer they play together after a scorching start disguised the gelling a new team needed.

But he said he cannot fault his side’s attitude, adding: “We do have to remember this is half a new team including Ben Davies who is so young but I cannot say anything about the attitude. I think the important thing for us is to look at why we didn’t create more chances.”

On the yellow card Davies received for diving inside the box, Laudrup added: “From the bench it seemed like it was a penalty but after seeing the replays afterwards I have more doubts.”