BOSS APOLOGISES FOR CUP DEFEAT

BOSS APOLOGISES FOR CUP DEFEAT

Brian McDermott gives his verdict on the Rochdale game…

Brian McDermott has issued an apology to the travelling United supporters for the FA Cup exit on Saturday and says that it was his worst moment in football.

United were beaten by a goal in either half by League Two Rochdale, in what was one of the shocks of the FA Cup third round.

The travelling United supporters vented their frustrations at the final whistle, this is something the manager insists he and his players will not forget.

“I’d like to apologise to the fans who were there on Saturday,” said the boss. “That was my worst moment in football. I’ve lost a Play-Off final, but that was worse.

“I’m desperately disappointed. Going to the supporters at the end of the game, clapping them and the reaction we got, which I expected, that is right up there with one of the worst moments in my career.

“I said to the players afterwards that they have got to remember that moment. I knew it was coming but they were right. We hold our hands up.

“For me, I will use that as the driver for the coming days, weeks and months so that it never happens again.”

The boss admits that the performance on Saturday was unacceptable but he insists that the club will stick together as one and move forward.

“It is very difficult to give an explanation after a performance like that,” said the manager. “In the first half we didn’t really create much, we had a couple of opportunities with Matt Smith.

“They played better than us, they wanted it more than us and it’s unacceptable.

“It is a result that will stay with me for quite a period of time. I won’t distance myself from the players because I am part of it. We are all part of it and we are all going in the same direction.

“We can’t be pointing fingers of blame, I’m sure that will happen now but the only thing that matters to me is our next game against Sheffield Wednesday.”

The manager selected a strong side for the trip to Spotland and expected his team to progress to the next round of the Cup. He is now looking for a reaction from his players when his side travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

“The team selection was strong,” added the manager. “I thought we had a team out there that was well capable of going to Rochdale and winning.

“I knew this game was going to be difficult and I knew what this game was going to entail. I’ve seen them play and I’d done my homework.

“We didn’t do what we had to do.

“I hope that the fans travel on Saturday, I never take anything for granted after a performance like that. I’m sure that we’ll get a reaction at Sheffield Wednesday.”

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