on crucial decisions...
"I believe we played with quality and spirit
and were unlucky to lose this game. I never felt under pressure and
I believe defensively we played quite well. We lost on a penalty -
that you can give or not give but we are used to that now - and on
a free-kick when Gilberto did not touch him. I believe these two
decisions made a big difference. We have to take it but overall I
am proud of my team."
on comparisons with the title contenders...
"Between success and failure this season there
was very little. We have to accept that we will not win the title
and that is hard to swallow. We do not feel that there is a
difference technically and collectively between us and Chelsea and
Manchester United."
on sticking with his philosophy...
"We have to continue to produce the football we
produce. We will not always be unlucky. We played well at Liverpool
and today. With all the bad things that have gone against us we
need to be exceptionally strong to produce a performance like we
did today."
on sticking with youngsters...
"We have the quality and we are young. I have
worked with this team for a long time now and people don't
know what that means. For example Alex Song played today. It is two
years ago since I bought him. Today he played in a massive game and
showed he has exceptional quality. He was not like that two years
ago. We want to be rewarded for the quality we have."
on losing confidence and goals...
"The confidence has dropped recently. In two
months we have gone through a difficult period. You cannot fault
the spirit. That has been exceptional but when you get knock after
knock it is difficult to take. We led at Liverpool and today for a
moment but we have been hit recently by goals. When that happens
you become more cautious and that means you are more cautious under
pressure."
