Returning Yeovil Town midfielder Charlie Cooper has said how he is proud of the way the Glovers handled themselves in defeat to Wrexham in the FA Cup.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the game, he reiterated his pride at the way the side fought against a side two divisions above the visitors. – You can listen to the entire interview below.
“It wasn’t an easy one, I think the lads were great today, obviously it’s a tough place to come, a team that are at the top end of League Two and are probably going to get promoted this season – and it wouldn’t surprise me if they go again next season – a tough place to come, but I think we’ve done ourselves proud, we’re just a bit frustrated, fine moments in the game, we haven’t concentrated and that’s let us down, but the overall play and the chances we had, I think we were decent.”
“That’s what they’re all about, they just created loads of pressure and long throws, corners, switching the play, they play with two focal points up front, we just switched off at key moments in the game and went in at 2-0 down, which is a killer really, but I think we came out in the second half really held our own, we played some good stuff and committed a lot of bodies forward, had a few chances but unfortunately they caught us at the end for 3-0. It’s unlucky, but it’s a good performance.
“We definitely had chances, a couple in the first half and then a few in the second half as well, I think if we keep in 0-0 at half time, it’s always going to be interesting, but we didn’t do that and they’ve punished us, like I said, we’re proud of our performance but a little bit frustrated at the same time.
Speaking to Gloverscast Ben after his chat with Sheridan, Cooper thought his first half chance, which drew a save out of Mark Howard in the Wrexham net was destined for the top corner – as was Jordan Young’s free kick.
“I thought it was in you know, I thought he was going to palm in into his net, but obviously it didn’t go in, it was frustrating, Youngy’s had one off the bar as well, moment’s like that – something goes our way there and it makes it really interesting, but it just didn’t go our way today.
“It’s ridiculous, he (Jordan Young) is a talent to be fair, I don’t even bother trying to get on the free kicks now because it’s either a goal or it’s going close, I see it a lot in training and he’s proved it in games as well, he’s got unbelievable technique and a great left foot, so I leave him to it”
“I thought it was in you know, I thought he was going to palm in into his net… Youngy’s had one off the bar as well”
Cooper was booked early in the first half, with a – ahem – feisty, Elliot Lee snapping at his heels all game, the midfielder had to keep his wits about him, so he did what anyone would do, make friends with the referee.
“I was trying to talk to the ref, we ended up good mates in the end, that’s the way to go now, it’s my first tackle and I got a yellow card so I was a bit frustrated with it, but I just tried to keep disciplined – I need to improve on that”
“Listen, we were never going to win the FA Cup, we’re disappointed that we didn’t get anything today, but the bread and butter is the league and that’s what we have got to do now, we had a little dip, came off that big run that we were on, but I think everyone in there believes we can go on another run like that and create more of a gap at the top of the table”
“The fans were unbelievable, I don’t think they stopped singing all game, they out sung the Wrexham fans, they’re going to back us again on Wednesday, I think they knew today was going to be a tough one, but Wednesday, we owe it to them to put it right and go and get three points”
The full interview with Charlie Cooper can be listened to below