Runcorn Linnets manager Dave Wild has admitted his frustration at the recent performances of his side.
After their recent showings, they have picked up one win from three in all competitions as they had needed two goals in the dying embers to beat Prescot Cables in the Liverpool Senior Cup.
But it has been their performances of late that have disappointed him as they were beaten by Workington before salvaging a draw against Glossop North End.
Speaking to Off The Park, Wild said: “Since Workington, even in stages at Workington, I’ve been bitterly disappointed with the performances.
“I’m not going to hide the fact that we got a point and not lose two back-to-back and they did what I asked but performance was way below what we expect in terms of application, effort, quality.
“I did not see our team or our group of players and it was unacceptable to be honest.
“I just think we’ve potentially got a bit cocksure about ourselves,” he said discussing why their recent performances have fallen below expectation.
“I’m not saying every person, because I think the lads are putting the effort in and giving their all, I just think we may have got on that good of a run that we are a little bit better than we are and a bit too big for our boots.
“I hope I’m wrong in what I’m saying, I just get the vibe we’re a little bit individual as opposed to a collective and it’s the collective that’s put us where we are.
“Me, Billy and Jamie we’ve spoken about it at length at what we expect going forward, we’ll continue to do that going forward. I can’t put my finger on it but I will because that’s what I’ve got to do.”
This weekend sees Northern Premier League strugglers Belper Town visit the APEC Taxis Stadium in the FA Trophy.
For Linnets, it poses an opportunity for this current group to create history as they look to reach the Second Round of the FA Trophy for the first time.
With the possibility of creating their own piece of folklore, Wild insists his side must be at their best if they are to overcome higher opposition.
He said: “In terms of the magnitude of the game, if our lads can’t get themselves motivated and prepped properly for that game I’d be gobsmacked based on what we are as a group.
“I don’t foresee that we’ll have three performances as poor, I hope I’m right, I don’t see that. We can’t rest on our laurels and that we won’t be that bad, it’s up to us as staff to work on things and they’ve got an understanding of what we’re asking of them, put some demands on them and maybe have a look at bringing a fresh face in to put a little bit of pressure on one or two individuals.
“I’m glad we’ve got Tom Moore back from injury, he strengthens us in depth, and maybe looking at bringing a body in over the next week or two.
“I’m not concerned going into the game, not like we’ve burst and the wheels have fell off, I just think we need to really look into it, divulge it and get it right for Saturday because we can’t have another poor performance.
“At the end of the day, it’s a cup game, it’s a bit wild, anything can happen on the day. Belper have got a bit of a trip they have to make, I know our fans will make it as hostile as they can but they’ll be favourites for the tie because they’re in the division above.
“We’ve got to be one our A-Game to beat anyone especially a team in the division above, I’ll do everything I’ve got to make sure we’re prepped and ready.
“It’ll be huge, the clubs never been in the Second Round Proper of the Trophy so it’s a massive opportunity for the club, a massive opportunity for the supporters, a massive opportunity of myself because I can etch my name into Linnets folklore taking them as far as anyone else.
“It’s a big opportunity, it’s an exciting opportunity and it’s a tie at the end of the day we’re at home and we’ve got to make the most of that, we’ve got a good run at home so it’s up to us this weekend.”
[Featured image: Neil Phillip Thornton]
