Manager’s notes usually come out with the bulletin each Friday but Mark Burke wanted to address the performance at Needham Market as soon as possible. Therefore we had our interview on the coach at 10.30pm on the way back and it was easy to see how much Mark was hurting. He told me he would not sleep when he got home and was determined to rectify matters. He decided to ignore the positives from the Kettering game and solely focus on Needham Market.
NEEDHAM MARKET
In my playing and managing career I have never been beaten by such a score line and it really hurts. I would like to apologise to the supporters who made the trip to Needham Market and those who were following the game at home. The first half performance was an embarrassment and I hope will never be replicated again in my time as manager. Whilst Needham Market were a very good side and really clinical we still let ourselves down with our performance.
At half time I asked the players to play for their pride and that of the club. If we could have not conceded any more goals in the second half we could class that as a step forward. We certainly did improve but did ship two further goals late on.
It is important we do not feel sorry for ourselves and must respond with a positive reaction at Lowestoft on Saturday. I am more determined than ever to rectify our shortcomings and I ask for your patience while we put things right.
LOWESTOFT
Thursday night’s training session will be a time to reflect on the Needham match, have a real good look at ourselves and begin the road to recovery. I can assure our supporters we will be working very hard to give them something to enjoy.
Lowestoft may have lost their first two games and we do not know a lot about them except that they do contain a number of ex-professionals in their ranks including former Luton player Rossi Jarvis. However, we have to concentrate on our own game to ensure that we return from Lowestoft with some reward.
Roy Izzard