Rusbury reckons Gladiators are going soft

Matlock Town's joint manager Dave Rushbury has labelled the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Gladiators "soft" after their third successive defeat, writes Ian Richardson.

Rusbury and joint manager Martin Foster saw their team booed off at the Autoworld Arena last Saturday after going down 2-0 to Grantham Town, a result that leaves them fourth bottom and six points adrift of the Premier Division's safety mark.

The Gladiators have games in hand on a number of sides in the danger zone but after taking a single point from the last 21 on offer, Rusbury knows their status in the top flight is becoming ever more precarious and especially so as fellow strugglers Frickley Athletic beat FA Cup heroes Blyth Spartans 2-1 at Westfield Lane on Tuesday night.

Acknowledging the concerns of supporters on Thursday ahead of Saturday's trip to Halesowen Town and pleading for patience, he said: "People need to be patient although Martin and me can fully understand why they are angry and upset. At the moment though, we can only play people on our books including those we cannot get off our books.

"At present it's the non contract players who are playing the best football for us, losing these won't correct what's wrong. We're working hard to strengthen the squad but we're frustrated because clubs at present don't appear to be prepared to release the players and also we're unable to make players an offer they can't refuse to prize them away.

"We knew we had budget constraints when we took over and we hoped the players we had would see things through. Initially they did but now we're most disappointed that they haven't pushed on. We should have got something from each of the Trafford, Buxton and Grantham games but didn't and we had to tell the players a few home truths."

"It's no good at all playing pretty football and giving away soft goals. We're a soft touch at the moment, we know what we need but it's a matter of sorting it out budget wise. Our hands are tied so bringing in the people we need will have to be a gradual process. But whoever we put out, we can set the team up but no-one can compensate for individual errors. We know we can play and pass, but we also need to be strong."

* Former Matlock Town striker Massiah McDonald could be in line to face his former team-mates next Tuesday night when Conference Premier Alfreton are due to host the Gladiators in the quarter finals of the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

Rusbury was director Of football at the Impact Arena a decade ago. Fans are advised that if Alfreton draw their FA Trophy tie at FC Halifax Town on Saturday, any replay will take precedence on Tuesday.

Image courtesy of www.derbytelegraph.co.uk

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | The NPL group on Facebook by clicking here: www.facebook.com/groups/TheNPL/