Head Coach's reaction to fourth round defeat against Crewe Alexandra
After seeing Bolton Wanderers Under-18s exit the FA Youth Cup against Crewe Alexandra, David Lee has called for the young Whites to bounce back against Liverpool on Saturday.
With Neil Lennon watching from the stands, Bolton’s youngsters, who had a man sent off early on in the second half, were on the wrong end of a 5-0 score-line at Gresty Road.
Offering an honest assessment of the match, Lee conceded the Whites deserved nothing from the match before challenging them to learn from the encounter and respond positively.
“We weren’t good enough on the night,” said Lee. “Crewe have a great academy but if you don’t match the opposition and earn the right to play then teams will dominate you and that’s what they did to us.
“Our players got caught out both individually and as a group and I’ve told them in no uncertain terms that it is not good enough.
“I know the players are hurting and I hope they are hurting because they should be individually disappointed with their performances.
He continued: “The incentives are there for them all to see. The manager has been brilliant. He came into the dressing room after the game and spoke to the players, telling them if they are good enough then they will play for the first team.
“We can sometimes accept players not playing well but if you don’t have that desire, passion, enthusiasm and drive when things are not going right then you will never be a player.
“They have got another chance at it though. They will come in and prepare for a game on Saturday.
“I’m looking for a reaction from them, and the ones who react will be the ones who go on to develop.
“Football is cruel and you have to be honest with the players. I have been perfectly honest with them in the dressing room and hopefully we get a positive response.”