Cotswolds Sport

West: We still need our fans' backing

8:20am Thursday 11th March 2010

EVESHAM United manager Paul West has called on supporters to stick by his players after the club slipped to just one point above the relagation zone in the Zamaretto League Premier Division.

The Robins fell to two successive away defeats at Nuneaton Town and Oxford City this week, extending their winless run to 11 league games.

Now they look to stop the rot with two home games over the next week with Stourbridge the visitors to St George’s Lane on Saturday (ko 3pm). This is followed by Bashley on Tuesday night (ko 7.45pm).

But, despite understanding supporters’ frustrations at the current miserable run, West believes their continued backing will aid an upturn in results.

Goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan is back for Saturday’s clash after being unavailable in mid-week. Defender Kevin Spencer also returns after serving a three-match suspension.

But the United treatment table continues to be congested. Defender Danny Hodnett and captain Steve Lutz (both hamstring), Mark Hands (ankle) and Steve Hands (calf) are all doubtful for the derby with Stourbridge.

West said: “I can understand everybody's frustrations. The supporters have to back the players.

“The supporters should take their frustrations out on me, I will take full responsibility for this year. We have 13 cup finals left now. We’re on a run that is nothing short of horrendous.

“We’ve all got to stick together and it’s my job to get the players’ confidence back and pick them up. We will work harder and harder for that elusive win.

“It’s frustrating, I’m working overtime to see if I can improve the side. We’ve just got to keep going.

“The performances have not been that bad. We deserved something out of the Oxford game, we conceded two sloppy goals and didn’t take our chances. Overall, we had the better opportunities in that game.

“It’s frustrating that we haven’t been able to put out our strongest side.

“It’s about what we do from now on. We are right in it after we dropped a place following the Oxford defeat. We’re hoping that one win could turn our form and will come soon.

“It’s not about the teams we’re playing now, we have to concentrate on what we’re doing for the remainder of the season.

“The performances have not been that bad over the recent run we’ve been on. I still have faith in the players we have at this football club and we’ve just got to keep going”

• Email this page