Sheridan quick to praise

Last updated : 01 December 2007 By Dave Moore
Manager John Sheridan was quick to praise the way his team saw off Crewe Alexandra in the FA Cup second round game at Boundary Park. He told Latics World, "We all know what the financial side is like for clubs in our position. I thought we were excellent in the first half, we scored one but it should have been two or three. Our tempo was very good and we got at Crewe knowing they are a good team who like to pass the ball around. We kept the ball well and created chances, and overall I think we thoroughly deserved the win."

Two halves are never the same and again that proved the case. They brought Nicky Maynard on, who is always a threat. We were on top throughout, but there's always a concern that something late on could cost us, and then they get that free kick that goes straight across the box with almost the last kick of the game. It would have been devastating if that'd have gone in."

"I told the players afterwards that, for all our dominance, we could have used the ball better to get in areas, pick people out and take control with that second goal. For example, we had a lot of the ball in the second half, but people were trying to do silly things. I say to them, if you play it simple you won't make mistakes, or at least you will make a lot less mistakes. I always say that good players play it simple when they have to. No disrespect to the players in this division, but sometimes they try difficult things when it's not on. It's probably not nice to hear my voice all the time but I will keep on telling them and telling them until I see an improvement. I'm not having a go at anyone. I just want them to see things and improve as players."

"You could say it worked well (the formation), and in fact I think Chris Taylor looks very comfortable there! However, it takes away that little bit of extra threat going forward and in positions higher up the pitch. Mark Allott did well at Bournemouth and again at Doncaster on Tuesday night, so I kept with that system and I think we caused them problems, especially in the first half. We dominated the game, and apart from the chance right at the beginning and the one at the end we were never in danger at all."