Mumbai City FC head coach Peter Reid fields questions on the defeat. Mumbai City FC head coach Peter Reid put up a strong showing at the post-match press conference, despite his team’s second heavy defeat to Chennaiyin FC this season. The loss knocks Mumbai down to sixth place in the Hero Indian Super League standings, but Reid was confident that his side would bounce back.Reid was quick to credit his opponents for a well-earned victory. “They (Chennaiyin) had more strength in depth, and we just didn’t have enough quality on the night,” said the English gaffer.The former Everton defensive midfielder rued the mistakes that led to Chennai’s first two goals. “We tried to keep it tight, but, this evening, I think it’s fair to say we made big errors from a defensive point of view,” Reid bemoaned. He went onto point out that the need to cut out mistakes at the back is even greater when the goals aren’t coming at the other end of the pitch – Mumbai City have failed to score for four straight games.“When you’re struggling to get goals, it’s important you don’t make silly errors at the back and give away goals,” explained Reid. “The third goal (scored by Cristian Hidalgo), he smashed it in the top corner – there’s not much you can do about that. But the first two, from our point of view, were poor.”Reid refused to use injuries as an excuse, after André Moritz was forced off in the first half after picking up a knock and star striker Nicolas Anelka left out of the matchday squad entirely with a groin injury. Reid cited Chennaiyin’s own injuries to key players, namely leading scorers Elano and John Stiven Mendoza, and said that injuries are part of the game. Reid did concede, however, that Moritz’ injury disrupted his team’s rhythm. “When he goes off in a game, we seem to lose momentum and initiative,” the former World Cupper said.The ex-England manager was adamant that he would not let team morale slip, despite the result. “It’s not very pleasant. But, that’s football. We’ll dust ourselves off and get ready for Delhi,” Reid said firmly. He went on to point out that Mumbai had bounced back after their previous 5-1 loss to Chennaiyin. “We bounced back after the result against Chennai last time. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We’ve just got to get up there, show a bit of spirit, go to Delhi, and try and win the game.”Reid laughed off questions about the dust up he had with opposite number Marco Materazzi during the game, after the two were seen squaring up to each other on the touchline. “It happens. He’s been a winner as a player, I’ve been a winner. Sometimes, it spills over. We had a laugh afterwards. He’s too big to argue with!”He was also asked about the returning Freddie Ljungberg, after the Mumbai City marquee player came on for Moritz and played the last hour of the game. “One of the pluses was, Freddie got 60 minutes. I thought he passed it well. I think he’ll be better for having played.”The Englishman refused to be drawn on a suggestion that Mumbai’s remaining four games are all ‘must-wins’ if the side are to finish in the top four and qualify for the semi-finals. “I’m just thinking of the next game. We have to win it,” he quipped.
