Carlos Carvalhal pointed to a lack of energy and mobility as Wednesday slipped to defeat against Leeds.
The head coach said the team did not recover, as they had expected they would, from the defeat at Burton and that it is important to have that mobility – to play pass and move football – to beat teams like Leeds, who play in a compact and physical way.
He spoke of having had a tough week, referring to the long journey back from a late kick off at Norwich last weekend, followed by a tough and physical midweek game at Burton, where the team had problems with injuries to our central defenders, and then today’s derby with Leeds.
Carvalhal said it was important to get the first goal against Leeds, adding: “We had five or six clear chances to score during the game but we didn’t and it is something we must correct in the future.”
He also spoke about bedding in recent signings, saying: “The balance of the team is not at 100 per cent in this moment.
“We have players who are just arriving and the team are at different stages in the process. Some players haven’t had much time in pre-season, so they are catching up with the conditions, but this is normal for this point in the season.”
He is also pleased that he now has a week to work with the players, without a competitive game, before Saturday’s trip to Brentford.