What a week! But it will be a memorable one for young Rams
COACH LYONS SAYS THAT HE IS SO PROUD OF KIDS IN CUP DEFEAT TO CHORLEY
PAT Lyons was in charge of Derby County’s young team for the 2-0 FA Cup defeat by National League North side Chorley.
Lyons, the club’s senior professional development phase coach, who oversees the under-23s, was proud of the efforts of the players.
Here is what he told the media after the third round tie.
■What is your overriding emotion after this game?
Absolute pride. For the week we have had – and it was even more crazy yesterday (Friday) losing more players (following Covid-19 testing), some main players who were going to start.
To put that performance on, to go and compete with them (Chorley) physically, a team that has had an unbelievable run in the FA Cup, to go to the last 10 minutes and be in the game, I couldn’t be any more proud of the players and the staff.
It is one they will take away, learns loads from and when the dust settles they will be watching themselves and pinching themselves asking did this actually happen?
We knew it was going to be a big challenge for us and one that got even bigger yesterday (Friday). We all wanted that fairytale story at the end but it wasn’t to be.
The players put a performance on that everyone can be proud of and that’s all we can ask of them in the circumstances.
■Could things have been different had Cameron Cresswell taken that early chance?
It was that moment you want and that could have changed the whole spectrum.
One of the things we spoke about was the first 15 minutes. We said it was not just about us staying in the game in the first 15 minutes but could we take the game to them as well?
We had that moment and we thought it was a penalty and I still don’t know why the referee didn’t give it.
Then to concede three minutes later was disappointing because we felt like we were settling into the game.
The players rallied and fought back. They were under the cosh at times, long balls coming into the box and set-pieces, and I was really pleased how they dealt with that.
■Chorley’s first goal came from a corner. Were you expecting set-pieces to be one of their strengths?
In analysis we saw they had scored from set plays against Peterborough (in the previous round), so we knew with the players we had out, 18 and 19-year-olds, it was always going to be a problem.
Actually, we dealt with them quite well but there is always going to be one or two, the percentages, and they (Chorley) played on the percentages.
■What was your message to the players at half-time?
We said to them we knew it wasn’t going to be a pretty game but to have more belief and to get on the ball, get your first and second pass in and once you do that, then you can go
forward and make things happen.
It was just about trying to settle them down and give them belief.
■How do you sum up the week?
It has been an unbelievable week. From the phone call from Wayne Rooney on Tuesday and to know myself and Gary (Bowyer) were going to take the team, then all the logistics we had to try to organise – no training ground, getting the staff together, getting a group of players that were fit enough.
And Friday was eventful.
You think you are there (with the team) and then the (Covid-19) test results come back and all that changes again.
But, on a personal level, it is a proud moment.
I have been at the club a long time. I was born and bred in Derby and to then lead the team was a moment I will cherish and I am sure the players will.