Vitor Pereira found it difficult to explain his emotions after Sunday’s late loss to Burnley but insists he and his group will show resilience.
The head coach watched his side recover from falling two goals behind thanks to strikes from Jorgen Strand Larsen and Marshall Munetsi and have the better of the second half in search of a winner, which went the way of the Clarets instead.
Pereira understands the concerns of the supporters but says his players gave everything out there, and believes hard work is the only answer now.
On a tough defeat to take
“A lot of frustration, because the players worked a lot on the pitch to win the game. But football is football, and sometimes it's very, very unfair. We tried everything to win the game, especially in second half, and in the end we conceded the goal.
“It’s football, we need to understand that the next game is another battle. We lost this one, a very important one for us, because the three points and the win were very important for us to give us the confidence that we need, but it was not possible. Keep working, keep going with our work, and try to be better the next game.”
On fighting back from two down
“The first half we conceded two goals from long balls in our back. This is something that we work on a lot, to control these kinds of balls, but when a team score, that means that the other team conceded spaces or did mistakes. We didn't control the two balls, but it was a very good reaction, showing the mentality of the team, and we scored two goals and went in for half-time 2-2.
“We talked together [at half-time] because we need three points. We needed to do take risks, to do everything to win the game, and they did everything. We created some good chances to score, even with Burnley in the low block, defending the result. In the last act we conceded the third goal. Even a draw would not be fair, in my opinion. Today it’s difficult to find the words, it's difficult to explain the feelings, but tomorrow is the day to react and to start our work again.”
On the fan frustrations
“It’s normal the frustrations of a result in the last minute, it’s normal that the supporters are frustrated. In my opinion the team deserved the support because the players gave everything on the pitch to win the game. We understand because at the end of another defeat it’s difficult to have the balance, but we need them. We cannot fight alone, the players cannot fight alone. We need them, and united and together we can do it.”
On handling criticism
“I have a lot of experience in football. A few months ago they sang my name. When I arrived here the club was in a very bad position, and we are in the Premier League because together we got it. We did fantastic work to be here competing in the Premier League. But I understand it’s football. If you win two or three games in a row everything changes.
“I'm concerned about the team. I'm concerned about winning games, it’s not about me, it’s about the team, about the club.”
