The Pressue is still on! - 24/09/2002

The Pressue is still on!
A great game from Alan

After losing 2-0 in Kiev, the pressure is on for us to collect all three points tonight. Feyenoord are a great team, any club that wins the UEFA Cup must be treated with a great deal of respect, but we are at home where we feel we can beat any team in the world.

I don’t think we played badly against Kiev, but their first goal certainly changed the game and it made it very difficult for us. We battled well and managed to create some chances, but conceding a second was the killer. All the teams who qualify for the Champions League are special, and we can’t expect to open up defences like we do to some Premiership teams. Kiev played with a sweeper and their back line was very strong – Feyenoord won’t be much different. I was left out of the Kiev starting 11 and I understand that the manager has to pick a side that reflects his tactics. That’s not a problem for me, but I still want to play ever game!

The game against Sunderland gave us a boost, and we had a very happy changing room! Yes, there was pressure on us – we needed to catch up with the points we have dropped, but facing our local rivals made it even more important. Getting an early goal settled us, something that hasn’t happened in earlier games this season. In the games against Leeds, Chelsea, and Kiev we’re conceded relatively early goals. It means we have to chase games and that’s not easy. Beller’s took the chance very well and then Alan’s free kick was an excellent strike. I really don’t think we played that well, but some days getting a result is the most important thing. I’m tying to get back to my best form and hopefully I’m moving in the right direction. Tonight will be another chance for me and the team to improve – and we certainly need to do that if we are to get a result against the UEFA Cup holders!

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