Disappointing display irks frustrated manager (09.03.06)

A LACKLUSTRE display, particularly in attack, sentenced United to a 2-0 defeat to in-form Carshalton at York Road on Saturday.
Manager Carl Taylor (pictured right) was clearly frustrated at the result, believing his team had the quality to earn at least a point.
He said: I’m more disappointed with the performance level than the defeat.
“If we had played better and lost I would have felt happier. But I think we played as poorly as we did against Basingstoke.
“I told the players ‘If you’re at your best they can’t beat you’. But we certainly weren’t at our best.
“In an attacking vein we were at about 50 per cent, and they were at optimum. They can’t play any better than that.
“They worked hard and they won, and all credit to them. They were really hungry, and I think they wanted it more than us.
“But they’re not out of it yet. As soon as they start thinking that they’ll be right back in it.”
In hindsight, Taylor thought he could have risked a more attacking formation.
He said: “It was only going forward where we weren’t efficient.
“We didn’t play badly defensively. I don’t hold the defenders culpable for the goals. It was what was in front of them.
“Some of the midfielders think that the defenders should do the defending, but if they don’t defend as well they will be leaving.”
As a parting shot, Taylor added: “Next year I would expect Carshalton to struggle again. They have the best keeper in the league, but he’s on loan from Reading and he’ll go back, or go on loan with a league club.”
After Saturday’s disappointment, Taylor was hoping to get back in the saddle with a win over Bognor Regis on Tuesday night.
Unfortunately, the referee declared the pitch unfit for play just an hour before the kick-off.
Taylor was clearly upset by the decision, saying: “It was the perfect time to play them, but Bognor won’t get away with it.
“That 8-1 defeat is still in my head.”
The replay has been provisionally rescheduled for Tuesday, March 21, but is yet to be confirmed.
Tomorrow (Saturday) the Magpies are away to Welling United.
Taylor said: “We’re going there to get a win.
“A win there would make up for Carshalton, but it won’t be easy.
“We have the quality to beat anybody, but the players have to realise what is expected of them.”