Steve Watson issues response as Darlington fans vent frustration at 5-2 defeat to Chorley

Steve Watson issues response as Darlington fans vent frustration at their side suffering a 5-2 defeat to Chorley.

Goals from Elliot Taylor (7′), Warren Clarke (41′) and Jack Hazlehurst (45’+4, 55′) had Chorley 4-0 up after 55 minutes, before Aidan Rutledge got two goals back for the Quakers before getting sent off in the 91st minute.

The result leaves Darlington second from bottom with 2 wins and 6 defeat from their opening 8 games, Chorley are 11th with 11 points.

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Darlington’s Steve Watson said after the game: “I thought the first half was shocking, we got and it’s a terrible thing to to aim at a team, but we got outran, outworked, out battled.

“We started the game bright enough, but as soon as soon as they got a goal, we capitulated in the first half and you know, it’s not tactics, it’s not systems, it’s not for want of trying with shuffling the pack with the team because we need to find that back four, and by the way it’s not just the defenders because the goal you know the last goal you know where where Dylan’s played them in, the first goal in the second half was about our shape regarding like somebody knocking off, their third goal I think edge of the box was a midfielder not being close enough. So but ultimately we conceded two goals at Kings Lynn in which I thought were really poor. So, we try and make changes to to try and find that formula. And again, obviously, tonight wasn’t the answer.

“And second half, it’s easy to come out when you when you’ve got nothing to lose, but I just thought we were calmer second half. We created it wasn’t rocket science. Um and I just think the lads the lads showed a lot more guts and determination, but as I said earlier, you know, you’re in trouble if that’s being aimed at you as a footballer.

“So, you know, we probably found out a lot tonight at a terrible cost, I suppose, but yeah, as I say, second half we’ve the two goals are shocking again, but at least the lads have came on and they’ve made a difference, and you know, we were a little bit more calm with the ball, even though we were, I wouldn’t say I’d never say out of the game, but you know, once you got it back to 4-2, you know, anything can happen, but then obviously we make another error and it’s really difficult.

“You know, you’ve got a couple of fans walking past the dugout explaining how far they’ve came and I get it. I really do. And and look, we’ll do it. We’ll always do our best for the club, me and Terry. We work our socks off. It’s been an unbelievably challenging start to the season, but that’s nowhere near acceptable and you know, we understand that. We’re not kidding ourselves. But as I say, you know, to be to be questioned about getting out battled and getting out run and getting out fought is a real, you know, it should be a real kick in the teeth.”

Check out the rest of the interview below…

Chorley’s Andy Preece said: “Really good reaction. I did tell the lads, look, just forget about that. Sometimes that can happen, it’s how you bounce back and we’ll be more judged on when we play Darlington at home than going to Oxford away and the reaction was superb from the first whistle.

“I thought you know we never give them a second. Won every first every second ball, showed quality in possession, bravery. Move the ball really well. Really positive when we got the ball. Really aggressive in possession running and getting balls in the box, getting shots off. Did really well at set pieces in creating pressure.

“Yeah, you have to defend well at times because you know they got big Becky up front who’s who can be a handful and they’ve got good players and good technical players that can cause you problems and we dealt with that really really well.

“So all round yeah well definitely our best performance as a team this season and to get the goals on top of it and some really good goals as well, quality goals that was that was a pleasing thing.

“The way we took our goals, I thought we were magnificent tonight and yeah, give the fans who turned up tonight something to really smile about and talk about and be positive about.”

Check out the rest of the interview below…

Here’s how social media users reacted after Steve Watson issues a response as Darlington fans vent frustration at 5-2 defeat to Chorley…

@ChairByTheLift: Go on. Off you fuck Watson. Diabolical waste of honest fans’ money. Obviously thought he could turn kids with no experience into world beaters. How wrong can you be? Club statement tomorrow morning before we get humiliated by Redcar.

Anth McMaster: We all saw this coming a mile off. Last season we had Maskell, Main and McGowan but we conceded goals for fun. We have lost them, replaced with dross and haven’t done anything about conceding for fun.

John Emerson: Bring in Phil Brown see if he can salvage something from this crisis before it gets worse till the end of season ????

Jamie Thompson: 1 win in the last 7 games at the end of last season and form has continued into the start of this campaign season where we’re rock bottom serious questions need to be asked on this management team and where the money has gone

Pete Nelson: Rutledge did himself every favour to get in the starting 11 for a few games and then spoils it by getting himself sent off – sums us up at the moment!