TAKE BLAME: Struber: ‘It’s my responsibility to bring better results and I’m absolutely unhappy with that’

[ad_1]

April 22, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New York Red Bulls head coach Gerhard Struber reacts in the second half against CF Montreal at Stade Saputo. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Gerhard Struber: I’m the head coach. I have to wonder. I have to be critical with myself What can I do? What should I change? (Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

Nine games into what has already turned into a disastrous season, Red Bulls head coach Gerhard Struber has taken full responsibility for his side’s 1-5-3 start.

It’s on me, he said after the Red Bulls failed to score in a 2-0 away loss to CF Montreal on Saturday night. It is my responsibility to bring better results. I’m absolutely unhappy with what we’re going to put on the table right now.

I am the head coach. I have to wonder. I have to be critical with myself What can I do? What should I change?

The Red Bulls have gotten off to a bad start this season going 1-3-5 while picking up just eight out of a possible 27 points. That’s not how playoff teams are built.

To make matters worse, Montreal played the final half with 25 minutes of regulation time and five minutes of added time with a man down after a red card in the 65th minute.

And to make matters worse, the host team entered the game with the most porous defense in MLS, already giving up 17 goals while winning only once in seven matches. But the Red Bulls failed to come close to the goal.

Struber said he was very frustrated, especially since his team outscored Montreal, 15-7, and enjoyed a 58.6 possession advantage.

Of course, there’s that old adage that stats are for losers.

Sometimes it’s also after a game like that, you’re kind of speechless when you see the data and all the facts,” Struber said. Football without scoring moments, in the end, you can’t win games and I think it’s also for my very frustrated boys that we have enough chances to score in games every game. It’s very disappointing for every player and for me and my coaching [staff].

Struber said he feels the pressure, but he gives it a lot.

Of course, the pressure is always on when you don’t have the right results, he says. I think it’s the whole world for every head coach in football. When you don’t create the right results, the pressure increases, but I put my pressure on myself very high and my level is very, very high.

Of course, I am absolutely unhappy and I understand our fans. I understand that everyone involved here wants better results.

Struber added: I can only say that the vibe of the group in training this week, the spirits the energy, [were high]. The boys want to do their best. A win would help us and give us the right confidence, give us the right mindset, the right belief.

The Red Bulls have played without several key strikers, including forwards Dante Vanzeir, who is serving a six-match ban for his racial remarks, and injured striker Lewis Morgan and midfielder Luquinhas.

I think of course we miss our different players, he said. But today I think we have enough quality on the pitch to get a better result. Everyone is disappointed but when we look deeper into the game we create the first 25-30 minutes. The output at the moment isn’t enough and it’s not a super cool feeling at the moment.

[ad_2]