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JP
What did you make of that game?
GA
I am disappointed and probably a bit angry as well that we haven't got something out of the game that we think we should have done. The result and the three points I think were there for the taking today and we have had enough of the play to get three points and enough of the play to win the game. We are bitterly disappointed and angry that we are coming away with nothing from a game we feel we should have got something out of.
JP
You seem a little bit aggrieved about a few of the decisions that perhaps didn't go your way?
GA
I am a bit aggrieved because I think the referee (Brendan Malone) has contributed a little bit to them getting a couple of free-kicks and a couple of goals. He hasn't helped us when we think we should have had our penalty and they are big calls in games like this, and I think we have missed out a little bit today.
JP
Which was the penalty incident you are referring to?
GA
The Gary Madine one early on when he gets through into the six-yard box shooting on goal and he goes to ground which I don't think he would do if……..
JP
The guy (Andy Butler) just clattered into the back of him didn't he?
GA
We think so, he is saying that he wouldn't go to ground when he has got a chance of shooting from inside the six-yard box, so you can take Gary's word for that. From where we are we see the back of it all and he just falls to the ground, so he has either been tripped or he has given up a chance of scoring a goal.
JP
What about the goals you conceded? They were both very good free-kicks in fairness (from Matt Richards) but in what led up to them do you think you could have done better with them?
GA
They were tremendous free-kicks, the second one is a great set-piece that they have worked on the training ground. The first one was unstoppable and as good as anybody in the country would hit. So, they are two fantastic pieces of skill.
JP
Why didn't you score more though in the game?
GA
Because their keeper (Jimmy Walker) saved the ball when we got it in that area, it is as simple as that and our finishing maybe wasn't as clinical as it has been. So, fair play to them, listen, when you are at a side like this and they are defending for their lives and they are fighting for points they do that, they defend that. Then when they get a bit of encouragement, a goal up and something to cling onto, they do it. To be fair to them they scrapped and battled away and they have earned three points.
JP
Do you feel you could have done more to stop Walsall though? They looked a very nervy team and the goal that they got to equalise seemed to sort of inspire them?
GA
Well, we did stop them to an extent but we have been done by two set-pieces. Which when you have got players with Matt Richards's quality you are always likely to suffer. Today he has hit two fantastic strikes and we have been punished for that.
JP
What have you said to the team after the game then?
GA
That we have got to keep fighting, the spirit is good, the performance on the whole wasn't bad. It wasn't pretty out there but you are never going to get pretty games against these types of teams at these types of places.
You have sometimes got to roll your sleeves up and play real League One football. Whilst we did it for the most of the part we just couldn't find the finish to our play. When we were getting the ball in the box there wasn't maybe enough bodies at times to finish it all off, so we have suffered.
JP
What did you say to them at half-time as well because it was all square at that stage and then you conceded that goal quite early in the second-half.
GA
We talked about decision making, when to play short and when to play long, and make sure that if we made the right decisions at the right times we would go on and win the game. But, we made a bad decision for the second one, the pass was a poor one and put us under pressure, we gave the free-kick away and then it is goal. So, maybe we have shot ourselves in the foot a little bit as well.
JP
It is easy to forget, I know you would have wanted more here at Walsall but it is easy to forget the good run you have had, how do you pick the lads up for the next match?
GA
That is easy, they are as upset and disappointed as me. They are football players and they have got a game against Rochdale on Tuesday night and if we win it we will go back into the higher bit of the table, so we will look forward to that.
JP
And just another final word on your contract which you have signed up. I know it all seems a bit changed after today but high aspirations now talking about hopefully of getting the club up that next level into the Championship within this two year spell?
GA
Yeah, I mean, the contract thing can be put to be one side for one minute. I am reflecting on a game and that is all I have got in my mind at the minute. We will deal with all the other bits and pieces later on, but we need to think about Tuesday, getting a result Tuesday now. I am not worried about contracts, but I have got that to do and it will sort itself out eventually. But, my concern is getting points and moving up the table to be honest.
JP
Just finally, on the injury situation then, Peter Murphy picked up a back spasm, is he expected to be back for Tuesday?
GA
I have no idea, with backs you never know do you. There is so much that can go wrong, but there is so much that can be one day it is stiff and spasmed and the next day it can be released and it can be OK. So, we will have to wait and see and look at him maybe tomorrow or Monday.
JP
And anyone else pick up a knock today?
GA
No, just a bit of pride is hurt, but apart from that we are OK.