Shaun Maloney | Portsmouth (H) Reaction

Shaun Maloney speaks post-game following the 2-1 defeat against Portsmouth at the DW Stadium.

• Shaun Maloney | Portsmouth (H) Reaction
• The Gaffer speaks post-game following Latics’ defeat at the DW Stadium
• Maloney: “I was proud of the performance [with 10 men], but we have to improve on our defending in the box."

Shaun Maloney was naturally disappointed with the 2-1 defeat at the hands of league-leaders Portsmouth, but saw the positive side in his side's performance after playing virtually all of the second half with 10 men.

Martial Godo opening the scoring with an impressive first professional goal, but his strike was cancelled out by first half Regan Poole and Paddy Lane strikes.

Maloney was dissapointed with the defeat, but was proud of his team's efforts after their resolute second half display with a man less.

“I was really proud of the team in the second half, Maloney told Latics TV. "I think the difference in the game was they defended their box better than we did. For the first 35 minutes, I was very happy with how we played against the best team in the league at the moment.

“When we went down to 10 men I think the effort the team showed and the supporters really got behind the players and clapped them off at the end. It’s never nice to get beat, but the difference between how I feel this week to last week is very different."

"Our goal was brilliant with how we played through Portsmouth, but it’s not enough. I think that’s a big lesson the youngsters have to take. That intensity has to be there to stop a cross, the concentration and understanding of the positions to defend when a cross does come in. We’re all in a rush to win games and get to where we’re trying to get to. I’m the same, but we also have to improve the younger players and it’s that balance between developing players and trying to win games."

On the difference between his side and the visitors Portsmouth, Maloney admitted that Latics need to improve their defending in their own box. 

"I think the difference in the game was they defended their box better than we did. For the first 35 minutes, I was very happy with how we played against the best team in the league at the moment.

“When we went down to ten men I think the effort the team showed and the supporters really got behind the players and clapped them off at the end. It’s never nice to get beat, but the difference between how I feel this week to last week is very different.”

Godo was impressive and took his first Latics goal very well and the Gaffer was quick to point that out.

“Martial’s been excellent. In the three games he’s had he’s been brilliant. He trained like that the first 10 days he was here. That’s why, straight away he started. He’s been excellent.

"This is what we want. We want exciting players in wide areas. When I came in I made us very hard to beat, now I want us to be exciting to watch. I want us to win games, desperately want us to win games, but we do have talented players, and Martial is definitely one of them."

Maloney was quizzed on the red card to Charlie Wyke and a number of penalty shouts which were turned down.

“I haven’t seen those two back (Aasgaard and Wyke penalty appeals). The handball one I think the referee got it wrong, but I never stand hear and complain too often about referees. Maybe that one went against us but you get that in football. Maybe in a few weeks, we’ll get one go for us," he continued.

"(On the red card) At the time I thought it was harsh. I’ve seen it again, but I’ll have to see it from the other angle. From the angle I’ve just seen I think maybe the referee got it right, but I’ll have to see it again from the other angle. It had a big impact on the game. It was hard enough 11 v 11 against the best team in the league. It became even harder with one less man”.

The manager also added that despite the result, the focus must now switch to Burton on Tuesday night.

“We go straight into training tomorrow. I don’t like losing games, but there are certain ways you can accept it. Last week I couldn’t accept. This week, sometimes things happen in a match that makes things harder in terms of sending-offs," he concluded.

"I was proud of the performance and pleased with large parts of it, but we have to improve on our defending of the box. If we do that then we’re a match for any team in this league. This (Portsmouth) is the best team in our league and for the majority of the game, I thought we were very good. But we need to understand the importance of stopping crosses and defending our box or otherwise, we’re going to need three or four goals every game."