Despite watching his youth team cruise to victory over Southend United at Upton Park last night, Tony Carr was still disappointed with the teams overall performance.
"We didn’t pass the ball," he said. "I think that one or two were a little bit edgy because they were playing at Upton Park."Glen Johnson - three great goals, three terrific headers. But maybe, psychologically, scoring two goals in the first ten minutes - maybe the foot comes off the pedal.
"I don’t know how you can cater for that. We were 3-0 up on Saturday and performed poorly in the second half, and we were 3-0 up tonight and did exactly the same.
"We’ve had a long chat in the dressing room, but there was not any tea or cup’s thrown anywhere ..."
Carr had the team locked in the dressing room for the best part of three-quarters of an hour after the game; a dressing-down in the dressing room, you could say.
"[We had] a few harsh words, and I tried to be as constructive as I possibly can," he said. "But the bottom line is that these young players are trying to become professional footballers, and have got to learn quickly that it’s a tough game for players who can perform on a stage, in a stadium in front of people. To be edgy in front or nervous when there are a couple of thousand people watching is a little bit concerning.”
But despite his overall disappointment in the performance, Carr was happy with the contribution of keeper Billy McMahon, who made two fine saves in the second-half to deny the visitors.
"Billy in goal did what he had to do," he said. "He had very little to do in the first half, but made two or three very good saves late in the second half.”
And he also praised the Southend lads for their effort and commitment.
"“I thought that Southend were a credit, I really did and I thought that for many periods of the game in open play they were better than us," he admitted. "Peter Trevilione has got them playing and passing, and believing in their ability - and that’s what we lacked.
"I thought that they did really really well. That’s not being patronising because we won 3-0, that is stating a fact. Potentially two or three of those boys will play in their first team, without a shadow of a doubt.”
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