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The full transcript from Liam Rosenior's post-match press conference following Chelsea's 3-2 defeat to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening
Liam Rosenior has just completed his post-match press conference following Chelsea's 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday evening.
The Blues go into next month's second-leg trailing by a goal, with a brace from substitute Alejandro Garnacho in the second-half to thank for that. We have just heard Rosenior's reaction to the defeat - and here is every word the newly-appointed Chelsea boss had to say:
Disappointed with Arsenal's first two goals? Both came from errors...
I think the first goal was disappointing. It's a team goal. It's not just on Rob [Sanchez]. I'm asking Rob to do things that he hasn't done before. I said to him before the game, and I made this really clear, when my players make mistakes, I'm accountable. That's on me. He made a save in the second-half that was absolutely world-class. That could have put us out of the tie. He will improve in terms of his understanding. He's had a very good season. There were very, very good moments with him. I'll stay positive with him, as I will with all the group. My job is to help them, not to blame them.
What are you asking him to do that's different?
Without going into too much detail, I don't want other teams to know. There are certain triggers, there are certain patterns. That's Rob's first game with me. I've had two days' work with him. I have to put my imprint on the team. That's why I'm here. I don't want to do that to the detriment of the results, but I need to make sure we win now, but we keep improving for where we want to get to this season. It's a very fine margin. There are a lot of positives in Rob's performance today. What you'll know with me is I protect my players. I'm asking him to do things. If he makes a mistake, doing what I'm asking him to do, that's on me. I have a lot of faith that in the long term we'll improve as a team with the messages that we're giving him in all the plays.
Do you feel at home at Stamford Bridge?
I do. Thanks to the staff, the players as well. They've made me feel so welcome. I thought there were real moments today in the game with the atmosphere, the crowd, the energy of the team, especially at 2-1 when we got back into the game. That's what I love. Hopefully the fans can stay with us because when they're with us, this place is such a difficult place to play for the opposition.
Your substitute Garnacho impacted the game...
I'm lucky. A coach is as good as his players. I've got a very good squad. I felt all three of the wingers today, I felt Estevao had some magical moments. Pedro Neto was outstanding for me, one of the best players on the pitch, playing three different positions for me. Then I can bring on Garnacho fresh. I'm really looking forward to working with this group. Garnacho gets the two goals today, but there were some really, really good performances, considering the illness we've had in the camp and the injuries we've had as well.
The spirit that the team showed was outstanding, wasn't it?
That was what made me so happy. I'm never happy to lose a game of football, of course, but I saw an energy of determination and intensity. I felt Enzo Fernandez was outstanding in midfield with Andrey Santos. Bearing in mind the fact that we've had an illness in the camp, I thought Marc Guiu gave everything. I want that in this team. I want us to be known as a team that never gives up, that will run, that will fight, that will press. I thought our press in the first-half was very good, but we unfortunately conceded from a set play. That's something that we need to improve on.
Can I just check on the injured players, especially Cole Palmer? Is he going to be able to come back on Saturday?
Cole, yes. This game came too early for him. Hopefully, he'll be available to train on Friday and hopefully he'll be ready for us to play on Saturday. But he had a little minor strain in his thigh. If you play a player too early in January with a minor strain, it can turn to six weeks. I can't afford to lose Cole Palmer for six weeks because he's that good. Reece [James] had a big knock on his hip. It was too sore for him today, so hopefully he'll be back for Saturday. Considering those two are out, Jamie Gittens was ill last night, Liam Delap was due to play today. He was ill four hours before the game. He couldn't play. Who else is there? Moises Caicedo was suspended, Malo Gusto was out. There's a lot of positive aspects from the group today.
Was there anyone else affected by the illness?
Hopefully not yet. But again, I want to keep the ill players away from the group so it doesn't spread. I felt the energy levels of my group today was a really, really positive thing.
Was that flu?
Yes, it was both of them really high temperatures, dangerously high. Hopefully, they can rest up and hopefully they'll be okay, I'm hoping, for Saturday.
Are you going to have to speak to the fans, but try and bring the fans with you as you try to implement playing out from the back?
Yes, of course. We're playing probably in terms of a pressing team, probably the best pressing team in Europe today, with their full-strength team. With a team where we're missing a lot of players. I was proud of the bravery of the players to try to execute certain aspects of what I asked. In six days, we've had two games. I'm not asking for time because I think the group are good enough to win now. But I need to put my stamp on the team as well. Otherwise, there's no point in me being here. So it's a fine balance and hopefully the fans will see the progression in the team. But we need to win at the same time.
What are some of the more negative things that you feel like you saw that you want the team to improve on?
It's an understanding. I felt Arsenal blocked in the middle of the pitch really, really well. But then we have to use the width and that's what we did in the second-half. I changed it a little. I played Estevao as a full-width player and Pedro as a full-width player. We opened up the game and used width more in the second-half. That comes with time and understanding of what I want. I have to say the players have been magnificent with me and the messages they've taken on. There are small, minor tweaks that I am making. My style is very similar to the previous coach. But you always have to have your own way of playing and your own idea. They're trying to put that into practise. The biggest problem for us is that we had a lot of illness, injury and we're playing against a very, very good team.
Some good moments from counter-attacks this evening. Is that how you want your team to play?
For sure. I want us to be high-tempo. I want us to be front foot. I want us to control and dominate games. We create chances from transition, but we also create chances from build and possession moments today, which is really pleasing. We're against a very good team defensively. I'm very encouraged by a lot of things I saw today. I'm not happy to lose any game, but in terms of a building block for Saturday, there's a lot of things I can show the players that they can keep improving on.
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