Dearden: Things will get better

Last updated : 11 August 2003 By Rob Davies
Dearden, speaking to the Evening Post, said he was dissapointed and shocked at Notts' opening day defeat and insisted they will fight back against Preston tomorrow.

Dearden pulled no punches in his assessment of the game, saying his defenders allowed themselves to be "bullied" by Bristol City striker Lee Peacock.

"We had looked very solid all through the pre-season, they had done very well, particularly at the back, but it wasn't the case on Saturday," Dearden told the Evening Post.

"Our two centre-halves allowed themselves to be bullied by Lee Peacock who, to be fair, had a very good game.

"And we just weren't doing the simple things. We didn't dominate in the air, we didn't clear the ball.

"What was most upsetting was that all five goals were preventable. They all involved bad defending.

"But I still think they will prove to be a solid back four. They just didn't perform."

Dearden didn't actually leave the dressing room until 3 quarters of an hour after the final whistle and unsurprisingly he admitted he gave the players an absoloute roasting.

"But now it is up to me to make sure their heads don't drop for long.

"We had a very good pre-season and the lads' spirits were high. Then, last weekend, everything fell apart.

"The takeover fell through and everything changed. All of a sudden the future was up in the air again."

Dearden also said Notts shouldn't use the fact they only arrived 25 minutes before the kick-off as an excuse.

"The referee and the chief steward both insisted it was better to kick off on time.

"I am not using it as an excuse for what happened but I did feel they could have shown more consideration for the fans.

"There must have been plenty of supporters who missed the start of the game."