Source: FOOTYMAD
Sturrock: 'That was a passionless performance'; Gradi: 'We had the better players'
Both managers spoke after the Railwaymen's 2-0 win over the Shrimpers at Roots Hall Saturday afternoon; where tactics were concerned, one refused to own up, the other most certainly did! Sturrock: 'Fans should expect attitude and work rate'24 hours after hearing that Tilly had gone to Lincoln the Shrimpers faithful may have thought the weekend couldn't get any worse.Blues boss Paul Sturrock could not hide the fact that after a bright start that could have seen the home side two up it all went rather pear shaped, or maybe that was the formation he was after. And really Luggs, bringing out the old 'fans work hard all week' line, as well ads 'it's not my fault.'You signed them me old mate, and put them in that defensive frame of mind. Crewe let them in at the other end as well you know.Anyway, Sturrock told BBC Essex: "I'm not prepared today to take any blame for that performance and result - that was a passionless performance. Fans come to the football game, they pay their money, they work very hard through the week and what they should expect is attitude and work rate. Too many of our players did not show that passion today and that's the reason we're sat here with the defeat." Gradi: 'That will make the long journey home easier for the fans' Legendary Alex boss Dario Gradi saw his side equal a 10-game unbeaten run from eight years ago when they saw off the Shrimpers Saturday 2-0.After a number of high-scoring draws, 5-5 and 3-3 in their last two games, this time they still scored two but without reply for a 'welcome three points'. Gradi told www.crewealex.net: "We went over to the supporters at the end because they deserve it. We have come down in comfort - but it has been a trek for them so it was terrific for us to get that first away win for them. That will make the long journey home easier for them." He also spoke about the change of tactics that brought them the win even though the Crewe manager accepted his side have played better in the past and just finished with a point.Gradi explained: "We took off Danny Blanchett at half-time because I didn't think it suited him to be playing in a wing back role because of their 3-5-2 formation. He was getting space a lot of the time but it didn't really suit his game to ask him to get up and down all the time. I played my hand and thought we could match them up in formation because we had the better players."Well, they did on the day, and he finished with the following words of wisdom "Overall we created the better of the chances and they were well worked goals. They were clever goals."Blimey, an away victory and goals with a degree, quite a journey for the Railwaymen!
