Source: Team_Talk
Inexperience cost us dear - Cotterill
Steve Cotterill blamed the inexperience of his threadbare squad for the late equaliser Portsmouth conceded in their 1-1 draw with Reading.[LNB] Teenage forward Nadir Ciftci looked to have given Pompey all three points at Fratton Park in his first league start for the club, having scored on his full debut in the Carling Cup at Stevenage last Monday.[LNB]But the Royals were not to be denied and Mali winger Jimmy Kebe got on the end of a Gylfi Sigurdsson cross four minutes from time to spoil the party for cash-strapped Pompey.[LNB]Cotterill, who only had four players on the bench and lost John Utaka to injury after 17 minutes, said: "I think that we played really well.[LNB]"We did not win the game because we did not have any subs. I think we were strong but lacked the experience to win the game.[LNB]"I could be upset because they scored a late goal but I am not. For 18 to 19-year-olds you have to expect them to lack experience.[LNB]"The fans were brilliant as well - I am pleased with them. I am delighted with the lads and it is a very decent point. Now we must look forward to Preston next Saturday.[LNB]"It was a battling performance and I am very pleased. Some of the players like Nadir Ciftci were excellent.[LNB]"If a team comes in for Ciftci then I have to let him go out on loan because he needs experience down at the lower levels.[LNB]"I felt that Carl Dickinson played really well for his first game in a long time. He lacks fitness but he will get there in the end."[LNB]Reading manager Brian McDermott was also satisfied with the performance of his team.[LNB]He said: "It was a point gained in the end.[LNB]"I thought that we played really well at times. I think that we could have won the game but I am not disappointed with the result.[LNB]"I was delighted with the way the team played and I hope we can take that into our next game. We lacked a cutting edge but some of the build-up play was great.[LNB]"I am now just looking forward to the game at Nottingham Forest. I was disappointed with the Scunthorpe game last Saturday because we lost.[LNB]"I felt we should have won that game just like I felt we should have won this game. It was a scrappy game but I still feel we could have won in the end."
