QUOTES AND REACTIONS
“We've been quite unlucky of late but we had a bit today -
they hit the bar twice. But I think we deserved the win. It
was important we got the result - to win a derby 4-1 is just
fantastic. It was a great result and a great performance.
they hit the bar twice. But I think we deserved the win. It
was important we got the result - to win a derby 4-1 is just
fantastic. It was a great result and a great performance.
“It's nice to get off to a flyer. In the past we've been
slow to get into games but to go 1-0 up in a derby inside
three minutes is nice. We were 2-1 up at half-time and even
though they had some good players out you know they are a
very, very good side and they always attack teams. They were
unfortunate not to get in the game but we weathered storm
and scored two good goals in the second-half.”
slow to get into games but to go 1-0 up in a derby inside
three minutes is nice. We were 2-1 up at half-time and even
though they had some good players out you know they are a
very, very good side and they always attack teams. They were
unfortunate not to get in the game but we weathered storm
and scored two good goals in the second-half.”
Macken:
“Recently we've been playing really well but not getting the
results - so it's nice to get a win like that in a derby. I
think we deserved it - and the luck was on our side today.
We've not won here for a long time so this means a lot.
Hopefully this can kick-start things for us.”
results - so it's nice to get a win like that in a derby. I
think we deserved it - and the luck was on our side today.
We've not won here for a long time so this means a lot.
Hopefully this can kick-start things for us.”
Keegan:
“I was really proud of them - we played better against
Chelsea last week but today we showed a side of our
character you need to beat teams, and that is character and
the ability to stay in the game when it wasn't going our
way.
Chelsea last week but today we showed a side of our
character you need to beat teams, and that is character and
the ability to stay in the game when it wasn't going our
way.
“Our attitude got us back in the game because at 2-1 they
started to play some wonderful football. People who write
them off are foolish - they are still a good side. But we've
edged them today - 4-1 maybe flattered us a bit. Everyone
played a part but no-one more so than the crowd. This is
their biggest game of the season and we are so pleased for
them. But it doesn't mean more to them than it means to me
and the players.
started to play some wonderful football. People who write
them off are foolish - they are still a good side. But we've
edged them today - 4-1 maybe flattered us a bit. Everyone
played a part but no-one more so than the crowd. This is
their biggest game of the season and we are so pleased for
them. But it doesn't mean more to them than it means to me
and the players.
"The idea of Sir Alex Ferguson going through a tough time is
different to the idea of me finding it tough.
different to the idea of me finding it tough.
"They are still an outstanding team, with some outstanding
players and will have a say in anything that goes on in this
country for the next five or 10 years, or as long as Sir
Alex Ferguson is still there." (the next two months then –
ed)
players and will have a say in anything that goes on in this
country for the next five or 10 years, or as long as Sir
Alex Ferguson is still there." (the next two months then –
ed)
Fergie, amazingly, is still not writing off our league
hopes:
hopes:
“In the first half we played very, very well but I was
disappointed we gave two goals away from a long throw and
free-kick. But we hit the woodwork twice and our play was
very, very good. I thought if we were patient we could get
back in the game quite easily - but in the second half City
were the far better side.
“There were a few errors in the defending and in any game at
this level you can't afford that. It's obviously going to be
very difficult (catching Arsenal) - there's no question
about that. But the important thing is to try and get our
form back and eradicate these silly errors we're making at
the back. There's no doubt about it, it was sloppy
defending. It's been like that for two months to be honest.
Even just simple defending, clearing the lines and getting
the ball out.
"We showed far too much hesitancy. The most important thing
is to get our form back and we will find ourselves in a far
healthier position. We have to try and make sure the
responsibilities are with the players. Simple defending is
the most effective and I don't think we are defending
realistically. It's obviously going to be very difficult to
catch Arsenal. This was a terrible result for us and you
can't mask that. We want to do something about that.
disappointed we gave two goals away from a long throw and
free-kick. But we hit the woodwork twice and our play was
very, very good. I thought if we were patient we could get
back in the game quite easily - but in the second half City
were the far better side.
“There were a few errors in the defending and in any game at
this level you can't afford that. It's obviously going to be
very difficult (catching Arsenal) - there's no question
about that. But the important thing is to try and get our
form back and eradicate these silly errors we're making at
the back. There's no doubt about it, it was sloppy
defending. It's been like that for two months to be honest.
Even just simple defending, clearing the lines and getting
the ball out.
"We showed far too much hesitancy. The most important thing
is to get our form back and we will find ourselves in a far
healthier position. We have to try and make sure the
responsibilities are with the players. Simple defending is
the most effective and I don't think we are defending
realistically. It's obviously going to be very difficult to
catch Arsenal. This was a terrible result for us and you
can't mask that. We want to do something about that.
“Confidence can play a part - no-one knows how it comes and
goes. But this was a terrible result for us - you can't mask
that - and we want to do something about that. If we get our
form back we'll be in a healthier state.”