Damon Lathrope spoke to the media after the Golden Girls’ 3-2 defeat away at London City Lionesses on Sunday (September 3).
Taking an early lead through Abbie Lafayette before being pegged back by two quickfire goals from the Lionesses, Watford responded quickly through a Carly Johns strike but were ultimately unable to complete a comeback and earn a share of the spoils at Princes Park.
Covering a range of topics, including style of play, Michelle Agyemang’s injury and another away game approaching against Charlton Athletic, read what the Head Coach had to say below…
On the performance:
I was pleased with the performance, bar maybe a 20-minute spell in the first half where we lost our way a little bit. London City punished our mistakes; we know in this league that teams are ruthless like that. We gave them three opportunities, they scored three goals and I don't think, other than maybe one more save, our keeper had too much to do.
But we know that's going to be the nature of the league. Performance-wise, we were pleased with the vast majority of it. We need to start converting our chances because we created more than enough to win the game, and that was what we wanted to come here and do.
We're pleased with some aspects, but really disappointed with the result. We'll pick up bits that we need to work on and we'll take the positives into next week.
On his half-time message:
I felt like in the first half at times there was a little bit of fear, which is not what we want.
I don't care about those mistakes that the players are making, it's how they respond to it. We have a way of playing and we aren't going to change for anyone, and we need to be brave in those moments and respond in the right way. It was more just a reminder to the players, you know what we're asking for, respond if you make mistakes and you're not going to get a telling off for doing it.
We needed a positive reaction, which they gave.
On the attacking play:
We got into really good positions quite a lot, and like I say it was just that final bit that was missing today. But we do it consistently, it was the same last week, we're creating lots of opportunities and getting into a lot of dangerous situations.
On Agyemang’s withdrawal:
I don't know just yet, she said she felt something, but it was precautionary. We don't want it to put her in any kind of vulnerable situation, so as soon as there was a little sign that it wasn't right, then we'll get her out of there. She's a top talent and we want to make sure we’re looking after her.
