David Artell says Town did not deserve to lose at Newport County despite suffering their first defeat of the Sky Bet League Two season, with the Head Coach frustrated by missed chances and decisions that went against the Mariners.
Town created numerous opportunities at Rodney Parade but were unable to turn their dominance into goals, with Artell highlighting two clear-cut chances that went begging.
Newport scored twice in the second half, before Justin Amaluzor marked his return from injury with a late goal, but Town were unable to find an equaliser.
Artell was also frustrated by a penalty appeal involving Kieran Green and an offside decision, while praising the travelling supporters and welcoming the return of several players from injury.
Here’s everything Artell had to say after Saturday’s game…
On the overall performance
Artell felt Town were the better side for large periods and believed the result did not reflect the performance.
“We didn’t deserve to lose, that’s for sure.
“If you don’t take your chances, and I’m talking big chances, and the officials don’t do their jobs, then you leave yourself wide open to the result that’s transpired.”
On Town’s missed chances
The Head Coach was particularly frustrated by the opportunities Town failed to convert, including two close-range chances.
“We’ve had two tap-ins. One for Iwan in the first half, Ryley in the second at the end there.
“We haven’t taken either of them.
“You can’t be relying on referees to give us an offside goal and give us a penalty on a stonewaller on Greeny.
“You can’t rely on them.
“We had it in the week where the lad’s offside. Don’t rely on them. Just put the ball in the goal.
“So, we can’t be as disappointed with them as we want to be. It shouldn’t have even come down to that.”
On dominating the game
Town controlled large periods of the contest, with Artell disappointed that they went into half-time level before Newport took advantage of two moments after the break.
“We’ve dominated the game, really. We’ve dominated the game.
“I think Christy has made a real good double save after it’s gone 2-0.
“Other than that, I can’t remember them even getting in our box, really.
“I can’t.
“Long throws and corners. We’ve had numerous chances.
“Numerous chances.
“And that’s the disappointing thing. It should never have been anywhere close.
“I’d have been disappointed with a draw, if I’m being honest with you.
“So, to not even get a point is extremely disappointing.”
On Newport’s approach
Artell was pleased with the way Town handled a Newport side who were expected to have less of the ball, but felt two moments after the restart ultimately cost his side.
“I thought we did well with it.
“I thought we created quite a few chances.
“The first half, the fact that it was 0-0 at half-time was disappointing. We should have been ahead.
“We should definitely have been ahead.
“We’ve had numerous chances, but we weren’t.
“And then you come out second half and we literally give them two goals.
“Switch off at a set piece, get dispossessed in the middle of the pitch, not with good shape behind the ball, and they punish us.
“That’s not on them. That’s on us.
“That’s the disappointing thing.”
On Town’s unbeaten run coming to an end
Saturday’s result brought an end to Town’s unbeaten opening seven league games, but Artell was keen to put the defeat into perspective.
“No, no. It’s certainly not that [throwing the baby out the pram].
“The fans could see that at the end. I thought they were magnificent, the fans.
“I don’t know how many there was, but I mean, you can see that we’ve dominated a game of football.
“And if you play like that, it’s about taking your chances and you’re not going to lose too many games if you play like that.
“That’s the disappointing thing, is we did lose it.
“So, it was sort of unfathomable, really.”
On what he told the players afterwards
Artell wants Town to maintain their ability to create chances, while becoming more ruthless when those opportunities arrive.
“You’ve got to be more ruthless.
“It’s a big thing for us.
“We create a lot of chances, and we’ve got to keep creating lots of chances.
“And if we do, then we’ll win games of football.
“Today we haven’t taken them.
“It’s the first time we haven’t scored two goals in six games.
“So, again, not throwing the baby out with the bath water, but they weren’t difficult chances either.
“We’ve got to put it all into perspective and pick them up and keep working hard to create more chances and score more goals.”
On the penalty appeal
Artell was asked about the penalty appeal involving Green, but was reluctant to dwell on the officials’ decisions.
“I think the general rule of thumb for referees now is that there’s a higher threshold for a penalty.
“Which basically means you’ve got to get assaulted. That’s the truth.
“It was already, prior to this season, a higher threshold by default because it’s such a key decision compared to the rest of the pitch.
“Now it’s gone up another notch, so they just don’t want to give penalties.
“And I said, I thought… I’m not going to say any more.
“We’ve played two games this week and we’ve had two offside goals not given and an absolute stonewall penalty, but that’s it.”
On the returning players
There were positives for Town, with Andy Cook, Justin Amaluzor and Reece Staunton all returning to league action following injury.
“Yeah, they’re a huge positive for us because we’re going to need them all and they’re good players.
“So, that’s helpful, without a shadow of a doubt.
“It’s the first defeat and we’ve played well enough to win two games of football, but we haven’t.
“So, it’s not no drama in that sense.
“And we’re going to need everyone, whether it’s Justin, Reece, Cooky, or anyone else for that matter.
“So, yeah, it’s really pleasing that they’re all back on the pitch.”
On Mark Shelton
Shelton was forced off during the first half, with Artell confirming the midfielder appeared to have suffered a calf issue.
“I think it’s his calf, but I’ve no idea how bad or anything like that.”
On the travelling support
A total of 476 Mariners made the long journey to South Wales, with Artell praising the support throughout the afternoon.
“I thought they were really good.
“We know it’s not an easy place to come, this place, and they deserve to see a win today.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t given it to them.
“That’s the disappointing thing.
“That’s unbelievable numbers for such a long journey, really.”
On preparing for Shrewsbury
With no midweek fixture to contend with, Town can now turn their attention to next weekend’s return to Blundell Park against Shrewsbury Town.
“We’ll pick the bones out of this, like I said, first, and make sure the lads understand exactly why we didn’t win the game.
“That’s the first thing, and then we’ll look to Shrewsbury as the week goes on.”
You can watch David’s full post-match interview here:
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