Neil Wood’s Salford City has been eliminated from the Carabao Cup, after a 4-0 defeat to Premier League side Burnley.
With the Ammies having now lost the last six games, there seems to be a lot of added pressure to the manager going into the weekend against Newport County.
Neil Wood reflected on the defeat by saying: “It was always going to be a difficult night playing against the Premier League team, they are three levels above ourselves.
With the manager crediting that they have very “technically good players, and a tactically good system that’s difficult to defend against.”
Vincent Kompany’s side were able to win the Championship last year with only three defeats and a 101 points, they were always going to find this level of football easier.
Wood was quick to recognise the talent of the Burnley, and spoke on the game plan: “We knew we had to show a bit of discipline out of possession.”
But with Salford going three goals down within the opening half hour, Neil stated: “I think we always knew it was going to be a real uphill battle, and all credit to them.”
Throughout the game their was always such a difference in quality between the two sides, being separated by 60 positions in the football leagues.
And it proved clear throughout with Salford failing to put a shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
With Neil Wood speaking on the quick transitional play from the Clarets: “They had a lot of the ball round the back with the two centre backs and the keeper which we knew they would.
“The trigger was they were waiting for the mistake, pulling you out of positions and running in behind.
And with the early first half lead, you have to give credit to the Ammies for being able to keep the score line somewhat respectable.
The Salford manager spoke positively on his sides second half performance, “Kept it as tight as we could in the second half, you always know they were going to make changes and bring good quality players.”
But with the Ammies conceding the fourth in the 80th minute it did really show the vast difference between the two sides.
FT – We exit the Carabao Cup in the Third Round.
[0-4] #SALBUR || @salboyltd pic.twitter.com/NCA9sBNFu3
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) September 26, 2023
With attention turned towards the weekend, Neil Wood added on the lessons learnt from the defeat: “Well I think we just have to focus on the weekend that’s the important thing.
“Were we going to outplay a Premier League Burnley team? No. Are they technically better than us? Yes. Are they athletically better than us? Yes.”
But with one less competition to focus on now, the Ammies can turn their attention towards the league, hopefully lifting themselves back into promotion contention.
With Neil Wood’s next being Newport County, in a must win game at the Peninsula to avoid dipping into the relegation zone.
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