Simon Rusk
Image by: Paul Hazlewood
PUBLISHED
11:31 22nd September 2015
by James Hilsum
Whilst yesterday wasn’t a fluid performance, it was certainly one that I was pleased with because we won and kept a clean sheet."
Simon Rusk
Simon Rusk
Brighton & Hove Albion under-21 coach Simon Rusk hailed a hard-fought win over Stoke City yesterday and believes that the tide may be turning for his side after a difficult start to the season.*
The Seagulls recorded a 1-0 win over the Potters at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre thanks to Solly March’s 77th-minute strike.
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Rusk told seagulls.co.uk “We haven’t quite got what we've deserved at the start of the season.
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“We lost away at Fulham [0-1], but I could have no complaints the Swansea game [0-1] because we didn’t turn up in the first half and went down to 10 men early in the second.
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“Then we had a cruel defeat [1-2] to a strong Aston Villa side through a last-minute penalty where a draw would’ve been a great result for us.
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“Whilst yesterday wasn’t a fluid performance, it was certainly one that I was pleased with because we won and kept a clean sheet.
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“There are still certain aspects of play which we as an under-21 group cannot be satisfied with, but nonetheless I thought the boys did deserve their bit of luck.
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“They deserved their three points after not having the rub of the green in the last three games and now it’s a platform to build on and gain a bit of confidence.”
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Albion had a strong side for the match with six first-team players featuring in the starting line-up; Niki Maenpaa, Danny Holla, Rohan Ince, Jake Forster-Caskey, March and Elvis Manu.
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Rusk was happy with the quality shown for March’s goal and praised the impact of Maenpaa, who made some fine stops to preserve Albion’s lead.
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“Jess [Starkey] put in an excellent ball and it was pleasing to see Solly attack the far stick with a real desire to get his goal.
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“Niki has made some outstanding saves, was a great presence in the goal and certainly made a huge contribution in the group getting the three points.
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“We had one or two more opportunities to score, as did Stoke, but it’s the fine margins at this level of football that gets you a win and that’s part of the younger players’ learning process.”[h=3]ALBION V CARDIFF CITY
[/h]SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER, KICK-OFF 3PM
[h=3]ALBION V *BRISTOL CITY
[/h]TUESDAY 20TH OCTOBER, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]ALBION V PRESTON NORTH END
[/h]SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER, KICK-OFF 3PM
Original article