Peterborough Sports admits his side are going through the wringer after a sixth game without a win
Manager Phil Brown admits Peterborough Sports are going through the wringer after a six-game run without a win has left them staring relegation from National League North in the face again.
Sports were duffed up 4-1 at Bedford Town on Tuesday night after conceding three goals in the opening 31 minutes of the game. The city side have picked up just two points since a three-game winning run which, temporarily as it happens, had lifted them clear of danger.
Sports are now one place and one point above the relegation, but two bottom four teams, Alfreton and Hereford United, have multiple games in hand.
And next-up for Brown’s men is a game against league leaders South Shields at PIMS Park at PIMS Park on Saturday (February 28, 3pm kick off).
"The mentality of the side is not right,” Brown admitted to Peterborough Community Radio. “We gave Radcliffe, a top four side, a two-goal head start last Saturday and almost pulled it back. We then give Bedford a three-goal head start and lost convincingly. It’s like we aren’t ready to play.
"They were cute and clever while we were naive. We are dropping clangers and getting punished for them. We’re all making mistakes, me included with the starting line-up and the substitutions, and, quite simply we have stop making them.
"We have given ourselves a mountain to climb again, but it is climbable. It’s not about the opposition, it’s about what we do, but we are going through the wringer.
"We are showing some spirit, but it’s often too late in games. This was a six-pointer and we suffered a comprehensive beating. We now need to get our crash helmets on, pull together and get stuck into the opposition, whoever it is. We are in a battle.
"We show some arrogance in possession, but arrogance really only comes from winning. I want us to play with a purpose.”
One Sports substitute, Aaron Powell, was himself taken off after receiving a kick in the mouth and losing some teeth. Another sub Kevin Joshua was hauled off after just 18 minutes after Brown became unhappy with his performance.
The one consolation for Sports was the return to action of former boss Michael Gash after a lengthy lay-off. He led the line well to put himself in contention for a start against Shields.
After facing the leaders, Sports embark on a March programme at home to Southport (March 7th), away to Brown’s old club KIdderminster Harriers (March 10), away to Alfreton (March 14), home to Marine (March 17), home to Darlington (March 21) and away to Leamington (March 28).
Southport, Alfreton and Leamington are other teams battling against the drop, while Kidderminster, Darlington and Marine are in the thick of the race for the play-offs.