NICK Barmby admitted his Hull City side were outplayed by Crawley Town today.
Championship club Hull were dumped out of the FA Cup after losing their Fourth Round tie 1-0 at home to the Steve Evans’ League 2 title challengers. And after Matt Tubbs’ goal made all the difference, former England international Barmby conceded he could have no complaints.
“All credit to Crawley, we were beaten by a better side,” Barmby said. “That was not us today, we did not get our passing game right. The opposition stopped us, we cannot have any complaints. We are normally fluent, and we didn’t get it down which was disappointing, but I don’t want to take anything away from Crawley. They did everything right, worked hard and got the result.”
Barmby, in his first managerial role with Hull, made seven changes to his side from the one which beat Reading last Saturday, but insisted he did not take the Reds lightly.
“I am sure they will come up (from League 2),” Barmby added. “Lower league teams always give you problems and we didn;t deal with it today. You have to get your head down and realise you are in a battle.”
The heat was turned up in the second half, when Hull’s coaching staff clashed with Reds’ assistant manager Paul Raynor, and Barmby added: “When you get opposition staff trying to get players sent off that’s a little bit disappointing.
“I can understand players doing that but not staff. We would not do that, but I do not want to take that away from Crawley, well done to them today, I thought they did well.”
Reds boss Steve Evans retorted: “I think he is grabbing at straws. Nicky should concentrate on what’s on the pitch. We have come here and outplayed his team.”