Angry Holbeach United boss Seb Hayes has ruled out any more talk about winning the ChromaSport UCL Premier Division title – unless his side rediscover their best form.
The Tigers chief has been bitterly disappointed by the performances his Tigers have put in since what looked like a season-defining 2-0 win at title rivals Yaxley two weeks ago.
That culminated in a costly 1-1 draw with lowly Wellingborough Town on Saturday, which has left Hayes questioning if his players have the desire to maintain their title charge.
Having hit the top of the table just over a week ago, Holbeach are now fourth – just four points off top spot with games in hand on the leaders.
Hayes – who is currently unable to attend games due to a five-match stadium ban – accepts that his side are still in a strong position mathematically, but won’t talk about the title again unless they pick up a minimum of seven points from their next three games.
“I feel like I’ll look like an idiot if I keep banging on about the title,” barked Hayes. “Sure, to everyone else it looks like we’re in a very strong position.
“And, mathematically, I know that we’re in as good a position as anybody at the moment. But I’m done with talking about the title. At the moment, nothing really feels right.
“The players, as a group, just aren’t putting in enough effort that is required to win a title.
“As a manager, I’m having too many in-house issues to deal with. We’ve got too many individuals being too selfish at the moment.
“I know that I’m capable of leading a team to the UCL title. I’m confident and I back myself, I’ve been doing my job.
“I also know that this squad has the ability. But the problem is that some of the players, especially the ones that have a big influence on what we can achieve, aren’t putting in enough effort.
“It’s soul destroying for me and the management team and this is why I was reluctant to talk about our title hopes until it was impossible not to.
“I’ve got the lads saying to me that they need me in the dressing room. That’s nice, but they shouldn’t need me there to motivate them.
“We went to Yaxley and won 2-0, which was a great tactical victory. But since then, they’ve gone on and thrashed teams, while we’ve stuttered.
“That tells you a lot about the squad and where we are. I accept that we still look like we’ve got a great chance on paper.
“But we need to win our next three to be back in the mix. Seven points would see us hanging on in the race, but anything less and we’re done.”
Next up for the Tigers is a trip to 14th-placed Northampton ON Chenecks on Saturday (3pm), with Hayes prepared to ring the changes.
He’s going to give striker Charley Sanders – who has been attracting interest from Yaxley – the chance to shine and is vowing to give him a run in the side, starting on Saturday.
Matt Warfield (suspended) misses out, but other than that the Tigers chief will have a strong squad to pick from.
“Charley has been upset with his lack of game time,” added Hayes. “I’ve been loyal to the strikeforce of Lewis Leckie and Will Bird, but neither are scoring goals at the moment.
“So Charley will get his chance on Saturday. He’s got the potential to deliver lots of goals and be a big player for us, but he needs to keep his head straight and not let anybody wind him up.”
With Hayes still banned, his trusted number two Daz Edey will again take charge at Old Northamptonians Sports Ground.
