It was an important win - Sir Bobby

Last updated : 25 September 2003 By Martyn Elliott

Sir Bobby

"It was obviously a very important win and we were back to something like our best that you saw many times last season.


"I always felt we had the ability to do that. It was always a question of time, patience and support and we'd be okay. It was important that we finally won in front of our home public, and to score goals.


"But the important thing in the first half, for me, was Shay Given, who made two wonderful saves. At half-time, we went in 2-0 and it could have been 2-2.


"Shay made two very, very good saves, but in the second half, obviously, we subdued them, submerged them really, and then when the third goal went in, it was very difficult for them.


"They kept chugging away, but with respect to them, we probably had too much on the pitch for them overall. They had some good players, but it was a difficult night for them.


"We've all been under pressure. We needed to win and we needed to win well, and we've done it. It can only do us a power of good.


"It's not over because we have to go over there and play, so it can't be. But it would be a catastrophe if we lost 6-0."


Ton Lokhoff
(reported in the Evening Chronicle)


"I'm devastated. I expected a rough night but nothing like this. I thought my team were well below their normal standards.


"Eighty to 90 per cent of my players didn't play well.


"In the first half I thought we were doing quite well but when it got to 4-0 I realised that it was game over.


"We have to win the second-leg 6-0 and that is mission impossible."