Preston North End second year scholar Tom Barry has said that the U18 team were too sloppy during their 2-1 home defeat against Port Vale on Saturday.
Barry got the Lilywhites’ only goal in the defeat, but it came after the visitors had already gone 2-0 ahead in the first half and the young PNE players couldn’t quite score an equaliser.
After the defeat, Barry said: “I thought in the first half we were a bit sloppy and maybe a bit tired, but we managed to pick it up a bit in the second half.
“I could have been better, especially in terms of keeping the ball, but I was just trying my best to make something happen. We’re a team, though, and the whole team could have been better today.
“I was disappointed to be brought off, but obviously it’s the manager’s decision and I respect that.”
On scoring the goal – a well-taken effort from inside the area which found the bottom right corner – Barry also said: “I’ve just seen the defender scrambling a bit so I knew I could intercept it off him and when I did, I got it on my left foot, struck it and it was in.”
Before he was taken off after 65 minutes, Barry had been playing a slightly less familiar left-wing position. On playing in that role, he added: “I’m comfortable playing there, I feel like I can beat players one on one, so I’m confident anywhere I play.
“I like getting on the ball and turning and running at players to try and make something happen, so I don’t mind where I play. I’m easy, I’ll play anywhere really.”