Marsh admits he was harsh after defeat

Mike Marsh admits he was overly harsh on his side after the loss at home to Bolton Wanderers.

Marsh pulled no punches in his assessment of the under-18s defeat to the Trotters last Saturday at the Academy but after time to reflect on the 2-1 reverse, concedes he was too critical.

Though still disappointed with a third loss of the Premier League season - which included the early second half sending off of Kristoffer Peterson - Marsh says the young Reds can head into this Saturday's clash with top of the table Manchester City (11am) in confident mood.

Only nine of Marsh's squad remained at the Kirkby training base this week because of last night's NextGen Series match between Liverpool under-19s and Sporting Lisbon.

Both sides had already qualified for the next round and Liverpool lost 5-1 with Michael Ngoo their scorer.

"The lads have been training really well for weeks and looking back on my post-match interview after Bolton, I was probably a bit critical of the performance," said Marsh.

"One or two of the things we had practiced during the week did not come to fruition. But the reaction I gave was probably more my frustration coming out.

"The energy and enthusiasm that we usually have was missing as well."We'll get three or four back on Friday morning and we're lucky enough that all the lads are on the same programme."

Man City lead the Group C table on goal difference ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"We had them watched earlier in the season against Manchester United and Everton last week," said Marsh.

"They beat Everton 4-2 on Saturday and it will be a tough game."

Midfielder Lewis Hatch was one of few who managed to emerge with praise from coach Mike Marsh last weekend.

The Fazakerley-born player finished the game as captain and Marsh said should the 18-year-old continue his fine form then he may lead the team on a permanent basis.

"Lewis was the best player on the pitch for us by a country mile ," said Marsh.

"He finished the game with the captain's armband on Saturday and the way he's going he will keep it."

Source: Liverpool Echo

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