Liam left ‘perplexed’ by first away defeat
SOUTHPORT went down 4-1 to Gateshead in what was their first away defeat of the campaign.
After conceding just one goal in their opening four away league games, Gateshead put Southport to the sword with four goals in the opening 55 minutes.
After the game manager Liam Watson said he felt his team started well and dealt with Gateshead but he felt “a little perplexed” at how the game played out.
“I thought Gateshead started well. They passed it around and played their style of play. But we didn’t feel overly threatened and didn’t get cut open and I thought we defended well and looked a threat on the break,” said Watson.
Watson believes a lack of quality from dead ball situations, as well as balls from out wide were one of the reasons for his team’s lacklustre showing in front of goal, the manager said: “We had five or six attempts to get shots off but we haven’t.
“We always wanted the extra touch and delivery in from wide areas was questionable and delivery from set pieces was poor.”
The boss thought he would get a response from his side but an error from Hanford meant things grew worse for Southport but Watson knows his goalkeeper will acknowledge his mistake: “Did I think at half time we’d come back? Yeah I did, I thought we’d get a reaction and then a few minutes into the second half, again, another individual error. Dan [Hanford] has to save it, it’s similar to the Boston goal which is disappointing and he knows as well.”
Watson was concerned how side were “picked off” but was buoyed by the fact his players kept going despite the scoreline. However, the manager now believes that after ten games he has a better idea of his strongest team and hinted that he expects more from some of his senior players. He continued:
“We seemed to massively lose our way and got picked off but I think that was down to panic and by the time we have settled, it’s four. We’ve carried on going and that’s credit to the players and we pulled a goal back but when it gets to ten games in I always thought that would tell me where we are up to and I’ve got a really good idea of where I am up to and I’ve got more of an idea what my strongest side is.
“I’m looking at the senior players, and have they hit the levels that we know they’re capable of playing? At the moment I’d say they haven’t but I believe they will. We’ve got ourselves into a steady position but we can’t have too many results like that.
“Our attitude I don’t question. They’re a good group, they’re honest and they work hard but going off this performance, it wasn’t good enough. We have to improve and the renowned players have to step forward a little bit but I’m sure they will.”
A disappointing afternoon and with no game in midweek, Southport will be looking to bounce back on Saturday when Alfreton Town are the visitors to The Pure Stadium.
Gateshead beat Southport 4-1 at the weekend. Inset: manager Liam Watson