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Simmo Post Rotherham

Posted on: Tue 23 Feb 2010

Town travelled to promotion rivals Rotherham United and should really have come away with all 3 points.

Town started slowly and for the second game running went behind to a dubious penalty decision.

Steve Leslie levelled for Town and after that all the best of the attacking play came from the visitors.

In the end Town couldn't convert the chances they created and an in form Warrington in the Millers net kept the score level.

After the game Town manager Paul Simpson spoke to the press and was asked for his thoughts on the game: "In the first half I was disappointed with us but in the second half we should have won it.

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"They had a bit more of the play in the first half but as it went on and we got to grips with the situation and realised what we had to do we were better.

"In the second half I felt that we absolutely battered them! We've put balls into the box, we've had shots and their keeper has had a worldy with some of his saves.

"We had to finish them though and I'm disappointed that we've not finished our chances to win the game.

"I'm told that it was a bit of dubious penalty again, the referees been sucked into that but maybe one day those decisions will go for us."

The Town side showed great character to come back from going behind to the early Rotherham goal.The team dug in and then took the game to the home side and in the end Simmo was disappointed not to have taken all 3 points: "We did show character, but if you come to places like this and want to achieve something then you have to show character.

"It's not about pretty football; it's about digging your heels in, rolling your sleeves up and really doing the job.

"We didn't do that to start, we allowed them to get some momentum, we allowed them to get into our box for the penalty and it was a daft challenge.

"They got a bit of foothold in the game but when we started to be more positive and to get people in the box we showed what we can do.

"That free-kick at the end needed to be smashed into the box, not even Beckham could have got it up and over the wall from there.Those decisions need to be better and that is what is costing us and that's why I'm frustrated.

"That should have been 3 points for us, should have been a victory and Steve Leslie should be going away from the game with the man of the match award and two goals."

There were 3 changes to the side that played at Bury on Friday night and Simmo was pleased with their contribution and to the reaction of the players who dropped to the bench: "I was happy with the players who came in and felt that it gave the side that little edge tonight.

"Jamie Cureton showed some nice touches, I thought Paul Murray got back into it again and passed the ball well on a difficult surface and Jake Robinson caused problems.

"We've got to use the squad, the lads who went out tonight have been fantastic but I just felt that we needed some fresh legs."

There was one disappointing moment in the game when Craig Disley turned his ankle and was stretchered from the pitch.It's too early to know the long term damage to the ankle and Simmo revealed that Disley will have an x-ray later tonight to assess the damage: "He's not in a good way but we don't know exactly what the damage is yet.

"He's got a badly swollen ankle and we are hoping that there isn't a break in there but it is very painful.

"He is going to come back on the coach with us and then we are going to get him into A&E and get an x-ray done and see how bad it is from there.

"It is a massive blow because we've got to a point where everybody is fit and available and we now lose Craig Disley who is an important member of the squad."

The Don Valley pitch was in a bit of a state after having a few tonnes of snow removed from it.Simmo was asked if he had any problems with the game being played but he was happy that the game took place as scheduled: "We had no problems with it as we knew what was going on and what to expect.

"We wanted to play the game and I don't think this pitch will ever get right this season so no point in worrying about that.

"We wanted the game on, we wanted to play and we really should have taken all 3 points."

stfc - paul simpson
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