west brom away match talk / coverage

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[14] Moyes tells the media to stop speculating and stick to the facts (after they asked him about rumours the West Brom manager will be sacked soon)

“Where did you get that from, a rumour or from the chairman at West Brom?”

“If you didn't get it from him, you shouldn't talk about it as it's only a rumour and you can't be picking up on rumours.

“If you don't win games, then obviously you [the press] are entitled to talk about it but I'd say that I wouldn't think for one minute about his situation. Six games after they were bringing in a new manager, I'd be very surprised if Pepe Mel is under pressure at this moment.”

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[15] Moyes on the good and bad from international breaks

"A little bit of both,"

"It's allowed some players to get games. Darren Fletcher got a game with Scotland, Chicharito [Mexico] and Shinji Kagawa [Japan] played too - people who have not featured as much as we would have liked.

"But certainly it's also been a hindrance on the back of a bad performance and bad result against Olympiacos. We wanted to put that right much sooner but the way the league fixtures worked out means we didn't have a game."

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[17] Moyes on good play without the needed end result

"Our play at times, I think, has been good but I don't think we've had the results and we need to get the results to improve, that's for sure."

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[18] Moyes on United doing well when we score first

“When we've tended to score first, we've gone on to get positive results"

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[19] Moyes on creativity balanced with steel

"I think the key is to improve all things,"

"I want creativity and think the introduction of Juan Mata and his interplay with Rooney and Robin that I've seen recently has helped that creativity.

"I want to make sure when the creative players aren't getting goals, or the chances aren't coming, we keep the back door shut and don't concede because then we have to chase the game.

"We need to get back to creating more opportunities than we have done. We've played quite well in games but not scored and taken our chances. Teams have maybe defended and counter-attacked and we've lost a goal and are having to chase the game a bit more.

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[28] Moyes has been thinking about United fans

"While I knew that this job would be a challenge when I took it on, the difficult season we have experienced was not something that I envisaged, which I am sure is the case as well for you supporters - and my players, staff and I are desperate to compensate for that.

"You are accustomed to seeing a successful Manchester United and the backing you have given the players and me throughout the season has been incredible.

"Away from home the travelling fans have remained the best in the country while at Old Trafford your unwavering faith has been noticeable and hugely welcomed.

"Supporting your team when they are winning is easy but much harder when things are not going as well, and the loyalty you have shown us has been magnificent.

"Everywhere we turn people outside the club have a lot to say about Manchester United, but we have all stuck together through some tough times this season and I firmly believe that, in the long run, we will all come out at the other end, stronger for the experiences.

"Everything we have been through will make us a better, stronger team and club in the future.

"Over the years you have seen great winning sides here and, in time, I have absolutely no doubt that we will see great winning sides here again.

"A big step towards that will be transforming Old Trafford back into the fortress it has long been renowned as, and we will do everything in our power to get the positive performances and results to do that, so that we can give you season ticket holders and all of our supporters something to shout about."

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[31] The West Brom manager is convinced they beat MUFC (isn't everybody nowadays!)

“I'm totally convinced we can win the game.

“What the players need is to win games.”

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[32] West Brom's Amalfitano on the Premier League and wanting to finish strongly

“As I said from the start it is one of the best leagues,”

“I’m enjoying it, it’s a hard, tough league as well, and I’m learning a lot from it.

“I will judge my performance this season when it is over.

“There are two months left, which are very important for the football club.

“I’m going to do my best for the club and then at the end of the season I’ll sit back and reflect.

“It’s a long season and form can dip.

“The season’s not finished yet and I want to finish the season as strong as possible for me and the team.”

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[33] West Brom's Amalfitano on how they played at Old Trafford and needing to repeat it at their place

“The most important thing that day was the way the team played as a collective, which allowed individual players to come out and perform to such high standards,”

“We shouldn’t forget that – the way the team played is what got us the result – and it would be good if we can put in the same performance at home and ensure we get the result.”

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[3] The West Brom manager doesn't know how long he will have a job

"I don't know that (if I will be replaced), it doesn't depend on me,"

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[4] West Brom manager, Pepe Mel, felt they did well despite playing in "adverse conditions" (whatever that means) from the start

"I'm very pleased with the performance of the players and very proud of the performance,"

"They played in adverse conditions from the start.

"The next four games are very, very important for the club, starting with Swansea, and now we have to recuperate the team."

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[5] Pepe Mel thought Van Persie should have been sent off (RN - even though he got the ball? and what about Ben Foster?)

"Yes I think Van Persie should have been sent off - it was a clear second yellow card,"

"If Van Persie had received a red card the game would have been completely different.

"I haven't spoken to the referee about it - what would have been the point? Once the referee's blown there is no going back on it."

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[6] Moyes didn't think Van Persie should have been sent off

"I think the tackle (by Robin van Persie on Steven Reid) is a foul but not a second booking. If it is we are all going soft,"

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[7] Moyes on planning to sub Van Persie, and having the decision made easier by the referee

"I was always taking him off anyway because he played 90 minutes for Holland in midweek. I actually told him in the hotel that I'd try to get him off at the right time in the game so it made the decision easy. I couldn't afford him to have another challenge and give the referee a decision to make."

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[11] Rooney on a bit of a scrap that turned into something more manageable

“We had to scrap at times. Nothing seemed to be going for us in the first half and we didn't seem to get the decisions so we had to fight through that. Thankfully, we got the goal through Phil Jones and went in at half-time knowing we had to finish the game off because it’s always tough coming here. To get the second goal was great, and I thought we saw the game out quite well."