PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM: YOU LEARN A LOT FROM THESE MOMENTS

PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM: YOU LEARN A LOT FROM THESE MOMENTS

Head coach on Aston Villa defeat.

Leeds United head coach Paul Heckingbottom spoke to the media following Friday’s defeat at Aston Villa.

The Whites suffered a narrow 1-0 away defeat at Villa Park in the Sky Bet Championship in the penultimate away game of the campaign.

Despite the result Heckingbottom was pleased with a number of the young players who featured in Friday’s side.

“We were good at certain things in the first half, but we kept giving the ball away too cheaply which was costing us,” said Heckingbottom.

“I’m not taking anything away from Aston Villa, but most of their attacks came from us losing the ball when we were trying to force counter attacks.

“In the second half we needed more of the ball and better possession, which we had, but we needed to score during our best spell in the 30 minutes after half time.

“You learn a lot from these moments and for me going forwards, thinking about the team, you learn a hell of a lot about players.

“Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Paudie O’Connor did well, Tom Pearce did better than last time and stood up to the task and Matthew Pennington deserves a mention who was thrown straight in following his calf injury.

“Bailey has been an example to the others, that whether they’re in the Under-23s, the Under-18s or not had a game before, if they are good enough, they will have an opportunity.

“That is how it needs to be, we need a hunger and a drive and you need to earn your place in the team.

“I’m reluctant to make too many negative judgments on the young players, I’m more looking at where they are with what we need.

“As a collective, we are nowhere near where we need to be, so next season, whatever changes are made, we want to produce a stronger team, a stronger squad and the young players have an opportunity to stake a claim to be in that.”

You can see Paul Heckingbottom’s full press conference below:

X