Gaffer accepts responsibility for inept FA Cup 1st Round exit
Manager Graham Turner described his side's showing at Walsall as “the most inept performance for quite some time” as the Saddlers hit Town for three and out of the FA Cup.
Craig Westcarr's double and Romaine Sawyers' late screamer capped secured the 3-0 win at the Banks's Stadium in a cup tie that the home side dominated from start to finish.
“It's an easy thing to say, but it was probably the most inept performance that we've put out for quite some time and its an embarrassing performance and an embarrassing defeat,” said Turner.
“As a manager you have to take responsibility for that. I've brought the players here, I pick the team, I decided on the week's work and I have to take responsibility. Criticism of the players will be confined to the dressing room.
“The goals were poor to concede, particularly the first one, that was a horrendous one to concede.”
Town failed to register a shot on target until the 78th minute, and Turner admitted that his side never got started against a slick moving Walsall team.
“Our game plan was to push right on to try and stop Walsall playing out from the back and to utilise the pace and mobility we had up front and the ability to pass the ball from midfield.
“We never got started, and you concede a goal like that and that sets them on the right track and sets us back a bit. The overall thing is that, defensively, we were poor today as a team.
“Walsall are a decent side, make no mistake about that, but I've got to look at our performance and think 'that is not acceptable.”
The defeat marks yet another FA Cup First Round exit for Town and Turner was saddened by his side's lack of success and progress in the competition.
“We can't explain why we've struggled. It's every bit as important as every league game, if not more important. The interest it can create and the finance it brings into the club, so that makes it doubly disappointing. It's another year that it's passed us by again.”