Clough cites crisis of confidence

02 February 2011 12:30
Derby manager Nigel Clough believes his side are suffering from a lack of confidence after they lost 2-1 at home to Ipswich. County raced into an early lead through Alberto Bueno but Town fought back and claimed all three points thanks to goals either side of half-time from new signing Jimmy Bullard and David Norris. Clough said: "We had a brilliant start, we started well in both halves. At 1-0, we were looking relatively comfortable but then one from 30 yards goes in and it changes the game totally, it was the turning point in the game. "Stephen Bywater has come straight in at half-time and held his hand up. He should have dealt with it better and it's that one very small mistake and it's 1-1 and we are chasing the game again, which we didn't deserve to be. "We came out in the second half and for 20-odd minutes we played very well. Then they had their first serious attack, I think they had three shots all game and scored with two of them and it seems to be the way it's going at the moment." He continued: "It's a big confidence thing, we get the goal and then we get pegged back. Each time it happens, it takes a knock every time and the confidence ebbs away. But what we are looking for is the effort and the commitment and that's certainly not in question, the players gave everything they had here."

Source: PA