Scott Parker: "I'm devastated for the players"

Scott Parker gives his thoughts on the 2-2 draw with Coventry.

AFCBFootballSport
Vitality Stadium | By Andy Jones

Scott Parker was left "gutted and "devastated" after the Cherries fell victim to a last minute equaliser from Coventry's Todd Kane.

Jaidon Anthony had put Parker's men 1-0 up just before the halftime break with a cross turned shot that crept into the far corner. the 21-year-old then turned provider to set up Philip Billing to put the south coast club two up with an hour played.

The game was then turned on its head when Jefferson Lerma received his marching orders after bringing Matt Godden down on the edge of the box. Jack Stacey's wayward pass had put the Coventry striker through on goal putting Lerma in a difficult position.

The Sky Blues then fought back with Godden grabbing a goal with five minutes to go before Kane found the back of the net deep into stoppage time. The win-back's cross looped over the head of Mark Travers to snatch a point for the visitors.

"The red card changes the game definitely," admitted Parker in his post match press conference.

"There is not really much I can say other than I am devastated for the team and devastated for the players because for 70 minutes we were in control of the game.

"No disresepct to Mark or Coventry, they're a very good side and he would probably say the same that with 11 men we dominated the game and the sending off changes it a lot - we have just not managed to hold."

Parker's side was plagued by injuries prior to kick-off, most notably to a raft of defenders that included Lloyd Kelly, Jordan Zemura, Adam Smith and Gary Cahill. The former Chelsea man was ruled out after picking up a rib injury in the midweek draw with Millwall forcing Parker into a back three that was hastily put together when he realised the ex-England defender would not be available for selection.

"We did't have a lot of bodies to do anything else," explained the head coach.

"Gaz Cahill was ruled out late yesterday and we are down to the bare numbers. 

"We have a room full of injured players in that treatment room that are big players for us that have done brilliant and at this present moment in time we have to adapt and are having to think of different ways. 

He added: "Overall I'm gutted.

"15 minutes the players had in training yesterday. 15 minutes to go through a new game plan, a new style of play, a new way of playing and they executed every bit of it for 70 minutes and full credit to them.

"With 15 minutes work and them understanding it - they took everything on board - and once we got to grips with some little bits we were superb and I am just gutted for the players in that sense really."

The mounting injury list provided Parker with an opprtunity to field club captain Steve Cook who made his first league appearance of the campaign. The Cherries legend had only featured in the 6-0 thrashing by Norwich in the League Cup earlier this season and impressed the Cherries boss with his performance.

"He did brilliant," Parker revealed.

"If ever there was a man who represented or showed what you need when you are under the pump it is Steve Cook.

'He is every bit of what you need on the pitch and he was fanatastic today.

"I've said it all along its been difficult for Steve this year and I have found it difficult at times for him because I've had to make difficult decsions.

'He has not found himself involved or around it and that is down to the personnel in front of him doing very, very well."

Parker continued: I've always been in communication, saying to him, if you get your chance and keep yourself right you will take it and like I said I thought he was brilliant today."

 

 

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