Magpies get reality check (18.11.05)

Taylor admits it’s been ‘week from hell’

MAGPIES boss Carl Taylor is no Mr In-between; but don’t mess with him anyway.
After what he described as a ‘week from hell’ he was keen to accentuate the positive.
He has already started eliminating the negative.
Having shipped 12 goals in two matches in five days, Taylor has seen three players in his squad leave the club and re-emphasised to those remaining about what is expected of them.
The message is simple: shape up or ship out.
In response to Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing by St Albans in particular, Taylor is expecting his charges to show what they are capable of at Weston-super-Mare tomorrow (Saturday).
He said: “I need the players to step up to the plate.
“It was a reality check for me, coaches and players, and now it’s up to us to see how we respond. We’ll be better for this experience.”
The Magpies never really recovered from the previous Tuesday’s 8-1 debacle at Bognor Regis, and after conceding two sloppy goals early against St Albans the confidence drained away, as Taylor admitted.
“They’re a young side and eight goals during the week was always going to affect their performance levels.
“We lacked a midfield on Saturday, but the engine room lacked confidence not desire. But there’s no crisis here. We had a good week in training and a no-nonsense meeting on Tuesday.
“Back to basics – that’s what this week has all been about. There’s no negative thoughts, it was just a bad week.”
He added: “I’ve still got the confidence I had two weeks ago. The problem was that we did well against Dorchester and expected to push on from there. I did also.
“However, we are in a relegation battle and mustn’t forget that. We relaxed last week and were punished.”
Taylor has sought out key players and spelled out to them what is expected.
Taylor said: “Keeper Scott Tarr and captain Matt Glynn have both been left in no doubt about the situation.
“They have been given extra responsibility and I expect them to step up against Weston.”
Taylor has also decided to water down his team’s attacking style in the short term. He said: “I’ll be looking to curb our adventurous nature. It is sensible with all that has happened and the players available.”
And that pool of players has diminished with keeper Paul McCarthy’s departure to Chesham United, Rob Traynor’s move to Walton & Hersham and Michael Barima’s exit to St Albans
Lee Newman will miss the clash with Weston because of a foot injury, but Nana Badu is back in the squad.

The Magpies have been drawn at home to Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday, November 26 in the third round of the FA Trophy.