No excuses for St Albans City at Oxford as Ian Allinson says ‘we just weren’t good enough’
Richard Sho-Silva heads the ball into the back of the net. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
Ian Allinson says he will have to move players on if there is not a dramatic improvement following St Albans City’s 2-1 defeat at Oxford City.
Richard Sho-Silva celebrates scoring his first goal for St Albans City. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
It was the Saints’ second loss in a week, coming on the back of their 3-2 home defeat to Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Richard Sho-Silva celebrates scoring his first goal for the Saints. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
And once again the City manager was left frustrated and bitterly disappointed at the manner of the surrender.
Richard Sho-Silva celebrates with David Noble after heading home the Saints equaliser. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
“There was no energy about us,” he said. “We didn’t want to get hold of the ball, we didn’t want to pass it quick and we took too long.
Solomon Sambou in action against Oxford City. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
“It was just one of those games where we weren’t at the races.
Tom Bender looks to put in a cross. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
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“It’s so disappointing to stand here now and see so many supporters turn up because they haven’t had value for money and myself, the coaching staff and the players have let them down.
Zane Banton rides a challenge. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
“We didn’t perform to the level that I expect at St Albans and that’s a worry from my point of view because we have to be better.
Richard Sho-Silva blasts the ball towards the goal. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
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“I haven’t felt like this for a long time. We’re looking for excuses all the time and there are none, we just weren’t good enough.
Solomon Sambou in action against Oxford City. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
“There is no energy and we have to seriously look at our shape and the personality we’ve got in the squad and in the changing room and I may have to make some massive decisions in the next couple of weeks to change one or two players.
Dean Snedker saves from the penalty spot. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
“I’ve let the players know. We’ve got to do better and react to what’s happened over the last few days and if players don’t want to react and don’t want to buy into what we are trying to do then we’ll have to move some on and get some in who will.
David Moyo is denied by Craig King. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
“And that’s disappointing.”
Oxford had taken the lead in the first half after a long ball found Matt Patterson and he calmly slotted home.
Richard Sho-Silva equalised though on the hour, the central defender nodding home a David Noble corner on his first competitive start for the club, but parity lasted just eight minutes when Reece Fleet scored the second.
It could have been worse too had Dean Snedker not saved a late penalty but Allinson felt the home win was well deserved.
He said: “We caused them some problems and when we got the equaliser I thought we’d go on and win it.
“But within 10 minutes we’ve sat off them again, allowed them space and we’re quick to blame the defence this year but the midfield haven’t gone with the runners.
“I said at half-time that too many players were trying to dribble too much so I restricted them to three touches.
“We have to shift the ball quicker but we were allowing them to get bodies behind the ball and when we did put balls into the box they were dominant and better than us on the day.”
