CULLEN REFLECTS ON SPURS SHOWING

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Midfielder discusses FA Cup exit and learning lessons

2024-01-06T00:24:23.199Z

CULLEN REFLECTS ON SPURS SHOWING

Midfielder discusses FA Cup exit and learning lessons

2024-01-06T00:24:23.199Z

Midfielder discusses FA Cup exit and learning lessons

Josh Cullen and the Clarets exited the FA Cup on Friday night in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Whilst disappointed to bow out of the prestigious competition, the midfielder spoke post-match about the importance of the squad taking chances when they come in tight encounters, and showing resolute defending against Premier League opposition.

“Disappointed that we lost the game and to be out of the cup. As players and the group, we want to do as well in every competition as we can, so naturally disappointed to lose the game but all we can do now is take the positives and move on.”

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It was Pedro Porro's 78th minute strike that separated the sides come the final whistle and Cullen was pleased with the team's defending against a home side showing sustained pressure throughout.

“I think that we defended the box really well in the main, we showed good resilience about us, and I think we had our moments in the game as well. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t make more of those moments but as a squad and a group that’s what we need to demand from each other, and we just keep working hard now and all attention turns to the next game.”

Resilience and strong defending were important aspects of the performance away from home and Cullen believes it highlights how far the team have come since the 5-2 defeat at Turf Moor back in September.

“It’s a tough place to come, we played them earlier on in the season and obviously the performance tonight was much better than when we played them before, so I think that shows the sort of growth we’ve made in five/six months of playing at the top level.

“We’ve just got to keep working hard, keep learning our lessons and making the positives even better and focus on the next game now.”

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The performance also saw the visitors have chances in front of goal, and while pleased to create chances, the midfielder is only too aware of the need to make the most of these moments.

“I think that when you come to places like this and play against top teams you don’t get loads of chances, especially big chances, so I think when they come along, we know that we need to take them and unfortunately, we couldn’t do that tonight as a team. But all we can do now is take the positives that we’re creating the chances and creating the moments, keep working hard to create them even more and make sure that we start taking them as well.”

Finally Vincent Kompany made five changes on the night, how much does Cullen think this strength in depth and competitiveness within the squad is going to be of benefit moving forward?

“Yes, I think it’s important to have that competition within the squad, it’s healthy competition within us all. We’re constantly pushing each other every day and whoever the manager picks to play in any game all the lads are ready. So, that’s what we need to do, we know to achieve what we want to this season, that we need to as a group be on it every day, every day in training, every game we play, and we keep pushing each other to improve.”