Evans throws down gauntlet

ROMULUS boss Richard Evans has thrown down the gauntlet to his misfiring players after losing patience following the Roms’ 2-2 draw with relegated Shepshed Dynamo on Monday.

The Coles Lane club are now winless in thirteen Evostik League fixtures, and despite some encouraging displays in recent weeks, a fuming Evans has decided he has put too much faith in his current squad.

“It was a poor performance against Shepshed – to be honest the standard was pretty bad all round from both sides and it was certainly a bad advert for what we are trying to do at the club.

“We set the standard with good performances against Grantham and Belper and we have to keep to that standard.

“Why we played like we did on Monday, God only knows – we always set up in the right way and prepare the lads for matches, but it was a desperate performance – it certainly didn’t reflect what the club is all about.

“Looking at the league table now, it is clear we have to sign some players in the closed season – realistically we’re looking for at least five or six additions and with that in mind the players that are here should be trying to earn a place for next season.

“I’m not going to judge them as human beings or judge their characters by saying they didn’t try against Shepshed, but some of the lads were simply not good enough.

“The club is giving some of them more than we’re getting from them – Saturday was a good performance though so hopefully it was just one bad performance, we will have to see what the lads can prove in the last two games.”

The Roms host former Conference club Leek Town in their final home match of the campaign this weekend (Saturday KO 3pm) before travelling to Sheffield on the last day of the season.

Both sides currently fill the bottom two play-off places and will look to secure a top five slot ahead of in form Belper Town who have worked their way up to sixth spot.

The race to finish fourth could also be important as it could hand one of the sides home advantage in the play-off final.

Evans added the matches, where the opposition still has plenty to play for will be a good test of character ahead of next season.

“Next year, we want to do what Stamford have done – last season they struggled towards the wrong end of the table and this year they have pushed for the play-offs for most of the season– we have two play-off chasing teams in our final matches and that will be a good test to see who is good enough to stay on for next season.”