Lewis Thorogood has urged his Pinchbeck United players to buy into the philosophy he’s trying to implement at the club.
The Knights boss watched on with disappointment as his side were handed a 2-0 reverse by Rothwell Corinthians in the Uhlsport UCL’s Kingfisher Lighting Premier Division Cup on Saturday.
A goal from Nathan Bobowicz after just 15 seconds saw them get off to the worst possible start at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, before Aiden Ginns (64) wrapped up the win.
It’s now two defeats out of two for Pinchbeck, who now face a trip to Northampton ON Chenecks in the supplementary competition this Saturday (3pm).
Thorogood, who admits that he was “disappointed” by what he saw on Saturday, wants to see a positive reaction from his squad as he looks to develop an identity ahead of next season’s league campaign.
“I began to see signs of the identity I want this team to have developing in our friendly against Wisbech Town last week (lost 2-0),” said the Knights boss. “But that wasn’t the case on Saturday.
“To concede a goal so quickly was beyond disappointing – especially as we allowed them just to dance through our defence and score.
“Individual errors are costing us a goal a game at the moment, and this was no different.
“With all due respect, I didn’t look at Rothwell and see a side far superior to ours. They are a typical UCL team, the kind of opponent we’ll face regularly next season.
“But I just thought we looked lacklustre. There was no hunger or desire to implement the ideas we want to see from this side.
“Look, I understand this is an end-of-season tournament and we’ve been through a lot this season, so it’s difficult for everyone.
“But I need to see a response from the players. I need to see that they are buying in to what we’re trying to implement here.”
That’s exactly what Thorogood wants to see from his charges at Chenecks this Saturday, who suffered a 2-1 loss at GNG Oadby Town last weekend after winning their opener 4-1 against Lutterworth Town.
“A lot of the players are telling me that they want to buy into what we’re trying to do here,” added the Pinchbeck supremo. “Well, it’s important that they begin to show that on the pitch.
“I know that the UCL isn’t for everybody and some of them may not be up to the task.
“That’s fine, but we need to use these games to forge that identity and decide who will be with us for pre-season ahead of the start of the new season in August.”
Pinchbeck (v Rothwell): Martin, Stevens, Burkitt, Fixter, Worthington, Moyses, Burrell, Melson, Moss, Jepson, Kacirek. Subs (all used): Oldham, Waby, Bell.
