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🗣️ We've arrived at Colney to speak to Liam Manning shortly to preview City's trip to Sheffield Wednesday
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LM (on Hull): 'Pretty much how I felt after the game. Watched it back. Which only increased the frustration. Scratching your head to think what more can we do to score?'

LM: 'I take full responsibility for what I do. But the last few games at HT we have spoken more about what the opposition are likely to do. We predicted exactly what Hull would do but the lads have to deal with it. Be more aggressive in our duels. Look at the first goal we concede. That has to change.'

LM: 'I wouldn't change anything first half. Apart from scoring. But second half we weren't brave enough to play forward.'

LM (on Schlupp): 'I had a really good chat today with Jeff. He was quite honest he didn't think he had hit the level he is capable of here since coming in. But first half was why we brought him in. He has shown that consistently in his career. He also has a voice. We probably don't have enough of those leaders.'

*Fitness update - Jack Stacey (concussion) still out, Mahovo still unavailable. Myles back in training. But needs 'a couple of weeks before he is in contention', Mathias is probably a little further ahead in his fitness. But they will be in the squad and in contention, (Forson & Kvistgaarden).

LM: 'Liam Gibbs has a Hamstring injury. Three to four weeks. Hugely frustrating. I've never had to contend with this level of injuries. But he has a history of this type of injury. So we have to manage that accordingly.'

LM (on fan protests): 'I had no issues getting out of the ground. But we have to be careful. Fans have a right to protest. I share that frustration. I live this 24/7. But when it gets to the point players' families feel threatened or uncomfortable that is going too far. This is a unique industry. I accept that. But there is a level where it is unacceptable. You shouldn't have to go to your work place and experience that. I have never experienced that. But my own personal experience of Saturday was different because I was inside for a while.'

LM (on recruitment): 'I am not going to throw people under the bus. I will just be honest. But every club makes good and bad signings. That is the nature of it. But we have to stick together. We have a group of players here now and we have to get through this period.'

LM: 'I had a very long chat with Ben, Neil and Hoggy yesterday. Not Mark? No, not Mark.

Listen I said at the weekend I don't think changing me, changes a huge amount. The game plan wasn't wrong at the weekend. But we didn't win so that is on the collective.



Q: What does need to change, then?



Some of it is not a quick fix. I have spoken about injuries and having double figs missing. It is hard to raise and sustain a level without those bodies. It wouldn't be right for me to sit here and talk around what needs to change.
I have spoken about the culture. Being too nice. We have to find that nasty streak. That doesn't happen overnight.'

LM (on Sheff Wed's): 'They've had a tough time last few years. But you can see how it has brought the fans and players together. We can learn from that perhaps.
I've spoken to the players about trying to spoil their party. Can we show that resilience, spirit that club is showing. You need people willing to look inside, be tough, and bring others through. Being a good team is not all highs, it is coming through the challenges and keep that inner belief.'

LM (on fears of relegation): 'We just have to win tomorrow night. We need behaviours on the highest level.'

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That ends Liam Manning's press conference.

Posted By: DrDublin, Nov 4, 13:20:07