MATLOCK TOWN boss Mark Hume has warned his side that they need to start acting like “men and not boys” and curb their “stupid” red cards if they are to avoid ending their Evo-Stik NPL Premier campaign with a whimper.
The Gladiators lost 4-1 at play-off chasing Stourbridge on Monday night to leave themselves 14th in the table after a run of just one win in seven games.
It doesn't get any easier for Matlock as they host Darlington 1883 on Saturday before travelling to leaders Blyth Spartans next Saturday.
After seeing his side well beaten at Stourbridge, Hume made a frank assessment of his squad and says his charges would do well to emulate the Glassboys.
“You look at Stourbridge and they have some fantastic Evo-Stik players used to playing mens football,” he said.
“Even at four goals up they were shouting at each other and the defenders were giving the right winger a piece of their mind when he gave the ball away cheaply by trying to be too clever. We need that mentality.
“It's the same old things, there's no excuses and I blame myself sometimes. I've shown too much faith in some of them and I actually believe I have more faith in them than they have in themselves.
“We have some great players and we should be doing better. Like I've said previously the writing's on the wall for some of them. I want to finish the season really well but it's my worst nightmare finishing the season as we are at the moment.”
Hume also criticised the discipline of his side, with Nicky Travis the latest to miss games through suspension. The midfielder picked up his second red of the season in the recent draw with Nantwich Town, much to the frustration of his boss.
“We haven't had a decent red card all season and by that I mean a last ditch challenge where you're taking one for the team,” he said.
“A lot have been for petulance, kicking out and that's poor, they need to act like men and not boys.
“They've let me, the club and the fans down recently. If you go 1-0 down you mustn't fold and it's not been good enough, there's no hiding away from it. Good sides don't fold and we need some stronger characters who are hungry and can handle the physical pressure.
“If you're not lifted by playing a side like Darlington on your own ground in front of a good crowd then there's something wrong, What a game to play in, I wish I could still play in a game like that, I'd be chomping at the bit!”
