Barnsley Head Coach Lee Johnson spoke to the press after watching his side go out of the Emirates FA Cup in the first round against Altrincham. The Reds were defeated 1-0 at the J Davidson Stadium and Johnson gave his reaction to the game.
“I’m massively disappointed,” said Johnson. “I have to be big and say congrats to them, they deserved their win. They had more energy and we didn’t show the character to break them down.
“It’s disappointing to lose any game, whether that’s pre-season, league or cup. The whole club needs to work out how to go forward, there’s a losing mentality at the minute.
“We need a clean sweep of the mind-set and get some people to change. I take full responsibility and it’s my place to make sure that changes. We’re not in a situation where we can feel sorry for ourselves.”
Johnson was asked about his squad today and the on-going injuries that he has to deal with after Josh Scowen went off the pitch through injury.
“We’ll assess Scowen,” continued Johnson. “He was in tears at one point. We had a decision to make whether we took him off or left him on, and I wanted to get him off and assessed even though it was important for him to be on.
“Marley Watkins today played with an injury so fair play to him. Conor (Hourihane) was playing a week too early and Lloyd Isgrove played with a shoulder injury as well. That’s three players that have put their bodies on the line for the club and that’s what we need.”
Johnson finally gave some words to the fans after defeat to lower league opposition.
“I apologise from myself and the players. Nobody wants to see their club get giant killed. I also say thank you, I understand they’re upset but they could be more disruptive and they haven’t been. I will be fighting till the end to get this back for them.”
An extended post-match interview with Lee Johnson will soon be available to watch on Barnsley Player HD.
