Dino Maamria was left frustrated following Saturday’s defeat at home to Forest Green Rovers, as the visitors struck early in each half to maintain a grip on the game that they never let go of...
A poor first half allowed the Green Devils to take control and despite an improvement after the break, a lack of a clinical edge in the attacking third meant for a first home defeat in three games.
“The first goal killed us to be fair. We had a lot of the ball, we dominated possession which is something we were looking to do like we did last week at Morecambe. We did not create enough first half, in the second half we created three or four very good chances and the keeper made some terrific saves. The difference was that they took their two chances and we did not. I think they had three shots throughout the game and they scored two of them, we did not. Unfortunately sometimes against good teams like them, that is the difference.”
An ever-growing injury list meant that Maamria was hampered with his team selection going into the game, and with even more of the squad playing through knocks, the boss says he has no complaints about the desire of his players.
“What people need to realise is that I have got a group of players that always give me their heart and soul. I have got four or five personnel that are playing through injuries. Danny Newton has been carrying an ankle injury for weeks and has been putting his body on the line. Revell came and played today although he is not 100% fit. Ben Kennedy was limping at the end of the game, Joel Byrom is struggling with his groin. Timlin, Scotty - there are so many injured players there giving everything they have got for this football club. And I can not complain about that because these players care.
“We have come off the back of some good form, being fourth in the form table, off the back of two wins, we are in a good place. Forest Green, they have a well invested club, we know that, they have very good players and they want to get to the Championship in three years. We know all that, but it is about us. The question is ‘did those players give everything they have got on the pitch?’, 100% they did.
“We are right in the mix and there is a lot of football to be played. I need to get those players fit and ready to go, to bounce back next week against Yeovil.”
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