Leatherhead boss Richard Brady reckons Tuesday night’s FA Cup disaster has exposed far deeper problems within his under-performing squad.
It extends their winless streak to seven games, and has left Brady considering a return to the drawing board.
He said: “I am disappointed – not with just tonight because it has not been right for some time.
“I take responsibility, and I am not going mad and screaming at the players, it has gone beyond that.
“You give people an opportunity and they don’t grab the nettle. They are not doing what players under my remit should do, and it’s clear that they cannot do it.
“That’s the realisation now - there are certain players for who it is not working, for who it is not going to work, so it is back to the drawing board.”
He added: “You just want desire and effort, work-rate and a little bit of quality on top, but it has not been right since the beginning of the season.
“We started well, but it has really clicked. I have never been too happy, something is not quite right.
“Maybe we have too many attacking players and there is not enough grit and desire to stem everything else.
“I am not talking about an overhaul, but I’ve told the players, you are here to win football games, if you’re not good enough to win football games, call it a day. Step aside, there is no point.
“If they’re not going to respond and they are not good enough, you change it, and if it is still not working – then you have to say, look, we’re not going to turn up every week to lose, I am certainly not going to do that. Something has to change.”
Brady was without Dean Pooley (cup-tied) and recognised right-back Adam Green (injured), but he remained philosophical about the defeat.
“We were poor. We were a little bit down to the bare bones for different reasons – we had to play Josh [Gallagher] at right back – no excuses, but both goals came from there,” he said.
“South Park probably won’t even be aware of that, but when you go 2-0 down the match changes.
“We came on strong in the second half and showed some of the quality we are capable of, but then to concede a third at 2-1, I’ve told them that was just stupidity.”
He added: “South Park worked hard, and once you get the 2-0 you can sit in and defend, it was set up well for them.
“They were living off their wits hoping things don’t go in – Vas [Karagiannis] should have made it 2-2, but he’s put it over the top.
“We certainly played some good football in the second half, but it was too little too late.”
Leatherhead entertain Hendon on Saturday as they return to action in the Ryman Premier League.
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