Scotland's players failed to deliver on their promise of a fresh start under George Burley in Wales.
| Scotland captain Darren Fletcher admits the players let down manager George Burley after slumping to a 3-0 defeat to Wales in Cardiff yesterday. Goals from David Edwards, Simon Church and Aaron Ramsey in the opening 35 minutes gave the home side a comfortable win. The Scottish fans who had made the trip did not wait long to express their views towards the beleaguered Scotland manager. Burley has not escaped the intense pressure for him to deliver a side capable of winning games. The SFA moved quickly to give him the dreaded vote of confidence but this rarely leads to dismissal in the way club managers as replaced the day after being supported by their chairman. Fletcher sympathised with the fans' reaction, but stressed the players must take some responsibility. The Manchester United midfielder said: "There was a lot of talk about the manager and you could hear the fans and they are rightly disappointed. They expect better and deserve better. The players have let the manager down. It wasn't a good enough performance from everyone. Nobody can really take anything from the game. It's disappointing all around, letting down the manager again. In previous games we maybe lost but it's never been as bad as that." Disappointed fans made sure Burley what they thought of him with many calling for him to be replaced. The SFA were not exactly left unscathed by the fans as they vented their anger. Fletcher said: "It doesn't help the players, no. But the fans were expressing their opinion. It doesn't help when the lads' confidence is down and the heads are down but you've got to rise above it and put it to the side and concentrate on your game. It's difficult but you learn these things with experience. It's more difficult for the younger players, who are maybe getting their first or second cap in games like this. It doesn't help them, but I'm sure it's something they will learn from." Fletcher thought that Burley's reaction in the changing room was fully justified, saying: "The manager was disappointed and unhappy afterwards - everything you would expect. He told us we weren't good enough and the lads accepted that because we knew we weren't good enough. He is angry and emotional and I think he has every right to be more angry today that he ever has been." |
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