United took the lead 21 minutes into the game after James Wilson scored the first goal of the match, but in the second-half City presented a better performance and Lukas Nmecha secured the equaliser just a couple of minutes into half-time.
The manager reflected on City’s performance and thinks his side need to start their game in a better way.
“I thought in the first-half we weren’t at the races like we would’ve wished in any game but particularly in a derby,” Simon Davies told mancity.com.
“We need to compete more, and more energy was required, but on the flip side in the second-half we were more in control and scored at a good time and dominated throughout.
“We lacked probably a bit of decision making and luck as well in the final third, but it’s a good lesson for the boys and their careers in terms of long and short term as they need to start games in a better manner.”
The EDS manager is keen to get his squad thinking about their triggers for matches, and believes that this can start even at the warm-up stage.
“The main thing is application and triggers for the start of games,” Davies explained. “We even talk about warm-ups and when they really start switching on.
“Something as little as a warm up when the lads think: ‘here we go again’ and thinking are they mentally preparing themselves for the game.
“Everyone has different triggers, although it’s a team warm-up and a team game everything is individual as well, so they need to get ready for their team preparation as individuals.
“So we will ask: ‘How do they get themselves ready for a game?’”
