Dev: I apologise for letting down club (21.11.02)

IN A remarkably frank statement Maidenhead United manager Alan Devonshire said sorry to all concerned with the club after his team’s dismal 4-0 defeat at home to Ford United on Saturday.
The former West Ham and England ace put the blame for the Magpies’ worst display of the season on himself, his coaching staff and his players.
Devonshire said: “After the game I apologised to Roger (chairman Roger Coombs) for the way me and the players had let the club down, especially in the first half.
“The performance was not acceptable. But I just cannot blame the players. The fault also lies with me and the coaching staff.”
The display that provoked this response saw the Magpies fail to have a decent shot on goal in 90 minutes and fail to move the ball about as they can, allowing a team they overhauled 3-0 a month ago to run out comfortable winners.
It was the first half that particulalry irked Devonshire as they went into the break 2-0 down having, as he put it, “failed to get out of the blocks.”
Although the second half was nothing to write home about, the Magpies had to make do with a stand-in keeper – striker Mark Nicholls – after Nick Hart broke his hand and a Ford side that could sense their first away win of the season.
Devonshire has been quick to try and put things right ordering training for Monday and Tuesday this week in an attempt to ensure Saturday’s debacle was a one-off.
As to why the lamentable performance came about in the first place is more difficult to assess.
The Magpies’ manager commented: “A few injuries didn’t help, but that’s no excuse. I think it was a mental thing.
“We had won well at Ford and had played with confidence. But since then they have had a change in fortunes, and I think have only lost once and that was in the cup to Forest Green Rovers.
“I told the players before the game that Ford would be using this match as an opportunity to turn their season around.
“But as to why we were so poor is difficult to explain. If I was a magician, I would be able to put my finger on the problem straight away.”
He added: “We have been trying to play a more attactive style recently, because that’s what everyone wants to see. However we seemed to have lost some of our doggedness and will to battle.”
“We have always been a hard team to beat.”
With this message ringing in the players’ ears, the Magpies have to pick themselves up to entertain Bishop’s Stortford tomorrow (Saturday).
On paper this looks a similar challenge to the Ford game, with the visitors also in the bottom four, just four points above the Essex side.
However Devonshire is expecting an even tougher encounter. He said: “They are a better side than Ford. We will really have to concentrate.”
Unfortunately the Magpies will have to do without the services of Hart, who is out with a fractured hand for six to eight weeks, and with Richie Barnard still two months away from a possible return, the club have signed Adrian Blake on loan for a month from Slough Town to fill the goalkeeping shortfall.
Other injury worries include Chris Elsegood, Mark Nicholls and Paul Kelly.
Then after this battle for precious Ryman League points, the Magpies travel to Sussex to face Lewes in the second round of the Bryco Cup.
Lewes have become a renowned cup side recently, as the Magpies found out a few seasons ago, and they will test a side low on confidence, but itself having built up a reputation for cup success.