Strachan says Boro must do better

17 March 2010 09:50
The Teessiders looked on course for a Championship victory at Pride Park on Tuesday night after Barry Robson's superb volley gave them the half-time lead.[LNB]But, after Boro had wasted a host a chances soon after the restart, Derby staged an unlikely turnaround to edge in front after goals from substitute Chris Porter and Michael Tonge, whose 20-yard volley matched that of Robson in the first half.[LNB]Strachan's side needed a last-minute equaliser from substitute Leroy Lita to rescue them a 2-2 draw and keep them on the coattails of the teams in the top six.[LNB]"Sometimes there's a lack of experience and concentration in our side and if we can rectify that, then we'll be a very good side," said Strachan.[LNB]"If we keep losing goals like tonight, it will make (the play-offs) impossible.[LNB]"It's possible if we do that and take our chances but you can't be missing chances at one end and giving goals away at the other."[LNB]The Scot added: "We gave Derby hope. If we took our chances then I don't think they would have had that.[LNB]"We could have been two or three up by the time they scored and then we went 2-1 down, which was quite unbelievable at that point.[LNB]"We're disappointed but they showed great spirit and kept going by playing the ball forward and making us work, and if you keep doing that then you always have a chance."[LNB]Rhys Williams was sent off just before Lita equalised to leave Strachan short of midfield options ahead of Saturday's game against Reading.[LNB]He added: "He got a bit emotional and you can't be emotional as a football player. You must stay focused.[LNB]"It doesn't help us and I have spoken to him about that. But to lose a man and still come back and get a point from the game means I suppose we have to be happy."[LNB]Derby boss Nigel Clough accused his side of naivety after surrendering a winning position against 10 men.[LNB]The Rams conceded a needless free-kick on the left and Robson's inswinging cross was glanced home by the head of Lita.[LNB]Clough insists his players must learn from the experience.[LNB]"It's disappointing having been 1-0 down for a long time and then to come back and go 2-1 up against 10-men," said Clough.[LNB]"We gave a daft free-kick away and didn't defend it and got punished for it. We're getting punished for every little thing at the moment.[LNB]"But it's part of the learning process and we have to see games out better than that.[LNB]"There was an element of naivety at times. We went for another goal when we didn't need one and people have got to do their jobs defensively a little bit better.[LNB]"We've got a back-four all over six foot tall. (Rob) Hulse and Porter are over six foot and a 5ft 9in striker gets a free header."[LNB][LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk