The Gaffer talks to the Press after the game with Peterborough
Micky Mellon talked of his frustration after Town drew 1-1 with Peterborough United.Peterborough took the lead in the first half from a corner, but Town dominated much of the game and got back on level terms from an Ian Black header.
Black then had a chance to seal victory from the penalty spot, but his spot kick was saved.
Mellon admitted his was disappointed not to take all three points, but he praised his players for their effort.
“We’ve missed a penalty, people have to be fair, we are doing everything we can,” Micky told the Press.
“When they go down to 10 men they sit everybody behind the ball, you’ve got to break it down. It takes time.
“People have got understand that we are trying to work an overload and I take my hat off to my players because they passed it across the back three and they tried to get people out and get crosses into the box, get people higher up the pitch. That is what you do in football.
“If you continually smash it into the box against two giants, that is what you are going to get, two giants continually winning it. But, you’ve got to keep playing, we tried to get as many people in between the lines with quality as much as possible.
“In the end, missing the penalty doesn’t open them up again, they keep fighting and they’ve been able to see it over the line.”
Micky was pleased with the overall performance and admitted that it was small margins that again cost his side.
“It’s fine details, it really is very small details,” said Micky
“We played well first half, we knocked it about very very well. I was pleased with how we worked our three centre halves against their two frontmen. I was pleased the way the two boys got in between the lines and got hold of the ball and we got the wingbacks high up the pitch.
“A bit more quality was needed at times, I understand that. We may have needed a pass instead of a cross because they were quite big guys.
“I’m disappointed with the goal from a set play, absolutely, but maybe Shaun’s got pulled out of the wall and it’s his man that I believe heads it in. They are the fine margins that go against you.
“Their ‘keepers made some good saves as well. One or two of them I have to say to him ‘well done, what a good save’ because I turned away, I thought it was in.
“They are a big threat from set plays because they are massive. Yes we would have liked to have grown our players 2 or 3 inches taller in order to deal with them, but I don’t have the capabilities to deal with that.
“But, they battle away and they fight, and they keep scrapping for us, and I was pleased with the bravery and that they kept trying to play the right way in order to try and open up two banks of four.”
Ian Black scored his second goal in a week and was unlucky to see his penalty saved just minutes later. Micky was disappointed to see the penalty saved, but had respect to see Black step up and take it in the absence of Ivan Toney.
“A great header, an absolutely great header,” said Mellon.
“He’s managed to get himself in there loop it over the top of the goalkeeper. And he’s brave enough to stand up and take the penalty kick and I will never have a go at anybody for that.
“We are obviously disappointed that he doesn’t convert it, but if you’ve not played the game of football, that is a pressure moment and for anybody to step up and do it, you can never have a go at them for missing it.
“You are obviously disappointed, but that was probably the fine margin that didn’t go our way.”
Micky told the press that Shaun Whalley had injured his calf in the second half and called on the fans to rally behind the lads.
“He’s popped his calf,” continued Micky.
“He’s pulled his calf and will probably be out now for a little bit of time because he’s felt it pop. But, let me tell you, when that negativity comes in, it doesn’t do them any favours.
“Maybe they should look a bit more at the detail get right around the lads. I understand, there’s a lot of frustration going around and people want to win games of football, but the boys popped his calf. He’s injured.
“What can I do if he’s done his calf? Some of the stuff that is getting said could affect the players. I don’t mind criticism coming my way, I can deal with that, but support the boys, get right behind the boys.
“They are giving it everything. They’ve battled back from a set play again. There is no one more frustrated than the players, but the first half I thought we played really well, we knocked it around really well, the crowd were appreciating it and unfortunately we let in a goal from a set play, but they kept going and kept battling away.”