Wayne Rooney admits he will adapt his “no-fear football” philosophy at Birmingham after a 2-0 defeat to Hull because his players cannot do it.
Liam Delap’s 12th-minute goal and a superb solo effort from Jaden Philogene made it a miserable St Andrew’s debut for Rooney, who has lost his first two games in charge, up against his former Derby assistant Liam Rosenior.
“You need to be brave in taking the ball, but it’s clear from the first two games that the players aren’t comfortable doing that,” said Birmingham manager Rooney.
“So there will be slight adjustments of course because we need to pick up points as well.
“I can get players up the pitch, boot the ball up the pitch and look to pick up second balls, but we need to get the balance right.
“This is on me – maybe I’ve asked them to do too much and I take that responsibility. We’re asking them to play out from the back and be more front-footed.
“I said to the lads after the game ‘if you don’t feel you can do it, tell me, and we can adjust and adapt’.
“There’s so many different elements to no-fear football. They’ve had snots and guts for the last 10 years and it’s been very difficult.
“But it’s not going to change within two weeks when the players haven’t been used to a completely different way.
“As I’m getting to know players’ strengths and weaknesses, we will find that balance to ensure we get it right.”
Fans made their feelings known to Rooney at the end of the game while the team was booed off at half-time and full-time.
“That’s part of football. You need to win games to change that,” said Rooney.
Rosenior said Birmingham fans need to be patient with Rooney as he will turn things around.
“I’d be excited if I was a Birmingham fan because I worked with him for a long time. I know his qualities as a manager and a coach,” he said.
“I ask for Birmingham fans to give him time because I know Wayne and he will get it completely right.
“He’s got so many qualities – when you had the intelligence Wayne had as a player and see how he sees the game, he’s top in the way he understands players, he makes players feel really confident in the way they play, but once he gets that time, I’m sure he will be successful.”
Rosenior said his gameplan worked a treat.
“A legend has just walked into the club so we knew we had to take the sting out of the game,” he added.
“The first goal came from really good pressing that we worked on with Liam Delap, Scott Twine and Adama Traore. After that we had complete control.”
'You can never be settled' – Bellingham dreaming of more after Champions League comeback
Real Madrid can "never be settled" as they hunt down a record-extending 15th European title, so says Jude Bellingham.
LaLiga champions Madrid claimed their place in the Champions League final thanks to Joselu's late double against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Joselu came on from the bench to score twice in the space of three minutes to seal a 2-1 victory on the night and a 4-3 win on aggregate.
Alphonso Davies' stunner had put Bayern on the brink, but Madrid will now face Borussia Dortmund – Bellingham's former club – at Wembley on June 1.
"They talk about how they won the 14th, how they want the 15th. You can never be settled," Bellingham told TNT Sports.
"The players feel like family, the fans feel like family.
"When I was seven years old in Birmingham, I was dreaming of nights like this."
Madrid have won four matches despite conceding the first goal in the Champions League this season, the most by a side in a single campaign since Los Blancos themselves in 2016-17 (five), when they went on to lift the trophy.
"There have been a lot of times we have looked dead and buried, but we have that mentality of never say die," Bellingham added.
"There is a reason we turn around so many games, it's because of these lot [the fans]. They give you an energy you can't get from anything else."
Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich (4-3 agg): Joselu late show seals Champions League final spot
Joselu scored twice late on as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 and progress to the Champions League final.
Having drawn the first leg 2-2 in Munich, Bayern looked set to go through and tee up an all-German final at Wembley when Alphonso Davies sent a rocket into the top-right corner of Andriy Lunin's goal in the 68th minute of Wednesday's clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Yet 14-time European champions Madrid came back from the brink thanks to substitute Joselu, whose double sealed a 4-3 aggregate win.
The former Stoke City striker capitalised on a calamitous mistake from Manuel Neuer in the 88th minute before he shinned a second into the Bayern goal from Antonio Rudiger's cross.
That second goal was initially disallowed for offside, but it was awarded after a VAR check.
With Harry Kane having been taken off, Bayern struggled to mount a comeback, though Matthijs de Ligt did see a goal ruled out for offside, with the visitors left furious at that decision.
Thomas Tuchel's team, though, will ultimately end the season without silverware, while their Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund will face LaLiga champions Madrid on June 1.
Data Debrief: Joselu to the rescue for comeback kings Madrid
Joselu became the oldest substitute player to score a brace in a knockout game in the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid have won four matches despite conceding the first goal in the Champions League this season, the most by a side in a single campaign since Madrid in 2016-17 (five) when they went on to lift the trophy.
Aston Villa ready for 'biggest challenge' says Emery
Unai Emery says Thursday's Europa Conference League clash with Olympiacos is Aston Villa's "biggest challenge" of the season.
Villa are 4-2 down after a shock defeat in the first leg of the semi-final tie at Villa Park last week.
While they are pushing for a top-four finish in the Premier League, Emery believes attempting to overturn the deficit in Greece will prove to be Villa's biggest test yet.
"This is the challenge tomorrow, the biggest challenge we’re going to face this year, playing in this semi-final," Emery said.
"I will find the best performances tomorrow and really be competitive.
"Of course, it's going to be very difficult here away because the atmosphere supporting the home team could be more difficult.
"In 90 minutes, we have to be focused with everything tactically, being in control of our emotions, set-pieces as well, everything."
Olympiacos or Villa will face Fiorentina in the final on May 29, after the Serie A club overcame Club Brugge on Wednesday.
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