Match reaction: Steven Schumacher on Wanderers' cup defeat against Wednesday

Yahoo

3 days ago

STEVEN Schumacher felt there were positives to take from his side's Carabao Cup exit against a youthful Sheffield Wednesday.
Wanderers had started the night as heavy favourites, given that the Owls side contained five debutants and eight players from their academy.
They never led on the night but pulled themselves level on three occasions with 10 men before being beaten 4-2 on penalties.
Schumacher felt his side had shown reasonable spirit to keep themselves in the contest after Sam Inwood's straight red card on the half-hour but that his players could have made better decisions after getting themselves back on level terms.
Asked about his biggest disappointment on the night, he said: 'That we lost - that we are out the cup. That is the most disappointing thing.
'I felt there was loads of positives though, let's look at the positive side of it as well. We competed with 10 men for two-thirds of the game and did really well.
'We created loads of good chances, scored three really good goals, but also conceded some poor goals, so (there is) loads to learn from.'
Schumacher had made 10 changes from the side which beat Plymouth, bringing Tyler Miller, Ethan Erhahon, Daeshon Lawrence and Charlie Warren in for their first starts.
'It was the right thing to do because the lads who played at the weekend put in a right good shift,' he said. 'We go to Oakwell on Saturday in a league game, that's so important, and we need to be fresh for that.
'And there's also, as you can see today, players that need to play, because they need to get up to speed.
'Tyler Miller gets his first opportunity, Chris Forino started against Stockport but needs to get up to speed. Sam Inwood, again is another player that needs to play, because if we're going to need him, if Jonno (George Johnston) gets injured then he's got to be ready.
'Aaron Morley and Ethan Erhahon. Again, Ethan hasn't played for us or hasn't started, Aaron Morley has started once, so everybody has to play. It was the right call.'
Inwood was handed a straight red card by referee Oliver Langford for a professional foul on Charlie McNeil – a decision which brought no complaints from the Bolton boss.
'I thought it was the red card,' he said. 'I thought when we turned the ball over we didn't drop quick enough, and the lad has got in behind us and Sam took him out, so the ref had no real decision to make. It was definitely the right call.'
Miller was given his debut in goal on the same day his one-year contract was announced by the club.
The American keeper had not played a competitive game since July last year when he turned out for DC United in a 5-0 defeat at Orlando City.
He spent time at Notts County in League Two last season but did not play a first team game and has been training with Wanderers since last month hoping to earn a contract.
'Teddy (Sharman-Lowe) has got a big gash in his knee from Stockport, when he got thrown into the advertisement board, so we've been having to manage that with his training loads, and give it a bit of time to heal,' Schumacher explained. 'Plus, again, he's an important player for us, and if he was to get injured tonight or whatever then we'd be left short.
'So, he is our number one goalkeeper, and Tyler's been in the building for a few weeks and needed the game.'
Asked how the 32-year-old fared on the night, Schumacher added: 'He was OK, but to an extent. It looks as if he was rushed a little bit at times, he has not played competitive football for a long time, so he is a bit rusty.
'But overall, I'm guessing he's pleased he's made his debut, and he's one game better off in his preparation if he's needed again.'