Fergie stays calm in defeat
08 Nov 2006 - 08:21:26
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told his side to look to the future and not dwell on Tuesday's shock Carling Cup exit to Championship strugglers Southend United.
Freddie Eastwood's stunning free-kick helped the Shrimpers clinch a 1-0 victory against the Premiership leaders at Roots Hall as they won through to the quarter-final of the competition.
Ferguson was disappointed with United's exit but thinks it could be a good result for his side in the long run.
"We need to look forward, not back," he said. "It was a disappointing night but there is no need for a knee-jerk reaction, no mass sackings.
"Maybe there will be a little bit of recrimination and maybe a few of my players will be embarrassed.
"They have to pick themselves up, that is the name of the game at this club.
"I bet he (Eastwood) doesn't score another goal like that in his life. If you are going to lose, it might as well be to something special like that.
"It is a great reminder to everyone at the club that football can smack you in the face. I have been here 20 years and I am not impervious to it either.
"In a way, it is great for me because I know tomorrow we can pull our togs on and start working again.
"There is no harm in defeat providing it improves you and you can learn from it. We have lost three times this season now, all 1-0, so there is not much wrong with us.
"Our form in the league has been good and we will be ready to face Blackburn on Saturday."