Manager hurt by manner of Magpies' cup exit...
Keith Curle was disappointed with his team’s performance in Tuesday night’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash with Sheffield United.
Defensive frailties allowed the Blades to strike four times at Meadow Lane to dump Notts out of the tournament.
Curle was frustrated by what he saw and pulled no punches in his post-match interviews.
“The easiest thing to say now is that we can concentrate on the league,” he said.
“I’m still bitterly disappointed with the performance and the manner in which we went out of the cup.
“I’ll accept it and I’ll have to move on but I’ve learnt certain things about certain players that will take a lot of eradicating from my memory.”
Curle felt that his side made it too easy for United and drew attention to the defensive display.
The visitors scored twice from set-plays, including Harry Maguire’s finish on the stroke of half time, which was seen by many as the decisive goal.
“I think it’s expected that if you don’t defend your 18-yard box, then it’s likely someone’s going to steal in and score goals against you,” he continued.
“Especially if they’re determined to score goals, I think they had five shots and scored four.
“I wouldn’t say we didn’t defend well, I would say that we defended appallingly.
“That willingness in the box to attack the first ball wasn’t there and if you let people attack the ball and make their runs lightly, they’re going to get on the end of the ball.
“You’ve got to be a physical presence and you’ve got to spot danger.”
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