‘It’s down to us’ - Jordan Thompson on Preston North End’s defeat to Watford
The midfielder said he and his teammates must take responsibility.
Jordan Thompson spoke to the press after a 2-1 defeat for Preston North End against Watford.
His early effort from range was tipped onto the post before coming back out and being tapped in by Callum Lang for the opener.
However, Edo Kayembe and Mamadou Doumbia’s second-half goals gave the Hornets the win.
“I thought we played some very good stuff in the first half, controlled it really,” Thompson said.
“I thought our shape was really good out of possession. Obviously, we got the goal, we managed it well until half-time. But, it's disappointing. The goals we conceded were poor.
He added: “In the second half, we just maybe didn't manage it as well as we should have on the pitch. It's down to us as the players, we've got to get our shape better at times.
“The two goals are, as I said before, really, really poor.
“You can't wait until the end of the season or further down the line. We've got to get things right now.
“Obviously, we were off the back of a decent result there against Blackburn. Came away here, as I said, managed the game up until a certain point. But when you come away from home, you can't concede goals like that, really.”
Thompson was pleased with his part in PNE’s goal and thought at first his shot was going in.
“It’s something we worked on,” he said, “it came off, I thought it was going in but the keeper got a fingertip to it and [it’s fallen] to Langy, who’s on good form. I’m buzzing for him really, he’s worked his socks off and he got his goal.”
He added to the Lancashire Post: “The set piece, we’ve worked on that. Also, as midfielders, trying to back the game up, really getting into better positions for anything coming in, trying to get the shots away or feed the strikers.
“But yes, obviously, we've got the set-piece, which is something we've worked on and it's been good for us.”
After a full pre-season, Thompson feels much fitter and stronger in this second season, after a slow start to his PNE career this time last year through injury.
“Yes, I've had a good pre-season,” he told the Lancashire Post, “I've stayed fit after that injury, it's behind me now. It's done.
“I've worked hard over the break and I'm enjoying it.”
Thompson has enjoyed working with new players Léo Leroy and Johnny Kenny.
“I thought [Kenny] was good for us. Him and Langy worked really well up top and put a lot of pressure on the centre-halves, did really well.
“Léo’s done really well since he's come in. The games I've played with him I've really enjoyed. He's got that bite about him and a lot of quality. He's done really well.”