DAVE Byrne has warned his misfiring Town squad their Swindon futures could be in real jeopardy - insisting his under 18 side would have given Brighton a tougher time on Saturday.
The County Ground joint caretaker boss will seldom have a tougher afternoon in management but, whatever happens to him over the next few weeks, he insists it is the players who should shoulder the complete blame for Saturday's collapse.
Byrne and Ady Williams know the search is on for a permanent manager in Wiltshire but the head of youth was quick to remind his beleagured players their new chief could already be watching.
He said: "We had too many people who decided to do what they thought was best, not what we thought was best. Whoever the next manager is, there are a few boys here who really have to pull their fingers out of their backsides if they want to continue to play at Swindon Town Football Club, it is as simple as that.
"It amazes me that the club is in the situation it is. These prospective managers could be sitting in the stands watching these guys. What are they thinking?
"Maybe some of these lads think they are better than they are, maybe they think they are players but maybe they should have a real good look in the mirror.
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"The new manager will want to know what has happened in these three games and I will let him know exactly what has been going on."
Byrne and Williams opted for the same side that lost at Southend last time out, with Lee Peacock pulling out 45 minutes before kick-off through injury, but there was to be no repeat of the fight and display that did them proud at Roots Hall.
Nicky Forster capitalised on Chris Blackburn's hesitancy to give Brighton a third minute lead and from that point on there was only ever going to be one winner.
Jake Robinson doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time before Dean Hammond's 72nd minute strike capped the visitor's supremacy and sent hundreds of Town fans heading for the exit door.
Byrne said: "I don't blame the fans. They pay their money and, as an ex-player, all you can ask is they give 100 per cent. But there were five or six who did not.
"I can't explain it. Last week we were passionate, showed enthusiasm, showed endeavour. Today there was no tempo, no passion, no challenges and no enthusiasm. It just bewilders me you can go from one extreme to another. I am just devastated and thought it was worse than Carlisle.
"I said to Ady my under 18s keep a better shape and show a better way of playing than the first team. They listen and do as they are told."
Town failed to test visiting keeper Michel Kuipers once all afternoon and no-one could blame the fans for voicing their anger in no uncertain terms.
Byrne said: "I will not stand on that touchline and take the abuse and flak if it is not something I feel I have done.
"I won't take all that abuse for what they do. At the end of the day we prepare them but if they don't want to follow instructions and do their own thing then they will be out of the team.
"I'm not frightened to make decisions and early changes but I won't stand there and take the flak for individuals who did not perform."
There are no excuses for Saturday's inept showing but if any side can point to reasons for it, then Byrne's men are them.
Financial uncertainty, a crippling injury list, no permanent manager and a transfer embargo - you do have to question how there have not been more afternoons like this?
Town's players may not have done their jobs on Saturday, but some of their employers should be looking at their own part in Town's season quickly unravelling.
Posted by: danielread, Swindon/Bath on 11:26am Mon 17 Dec 07
My favourite part was this stupid part of the article
'Financial uncertainty, a crippling injury list, no permanent manager and a transfer embargo - you do have to question how there have not been more afternoons like this?
Town's players may not have done their jobs on Saturday, but some of their employers should be looking at their own part in Town's season quickly unravelling.'
What a load of rubbish. If the players had actually tried on saturday, and show some commitment instead of walking around with their heads on the floor looking sorry for themselfs them no-one would have booed them.
If a team is commited and tries and looses then fair enough (ie last saturday). But no fan will have gone home from saturdays match with any respect for any of the players
My favourite part was this stupid part of the article
'Financial uncertainty, a crippling injury list, no permanent manager and a transfer embargo - you do have to question how there have not been more afternoons like this?
Town's players may not have done their jobs on Saturday, but some of their employers should be looking at their own part in Town's season quickly unravelling.'
What a load of rubbish. If the players had actually tried on saturday, and show some commitment instead of walking around with their heads on the floor looking sorry for themselfs them no-one would have booed them.
If a team is commited and tries and looses then fair enough (ie last saturday). But no fan will have gone home from saturdays match with any respect for any of the players
Posted by: nelly180, Surrey on 3:11pm Mon 17 Dec 07
I agree with danielread to a point but i am sure we would have found it hard to stand u and be counted if we coul dhave possibly lost our employment and a stuck in the midlle of a huge pile of poo.
I felt for sorry for the lads on Sarurday, yeah i did give them greif as well but the full frustration of what was going on got to us lot which we passed to them so negativity all round.
This wek will be different and hopefully back to winning ways for all of us.
I agree with danielread to a point but i am sure we would have found it hard to stand u and be counted if we coul dhave possibly lost our employment and a stuck in the midlle of a huge pile of poo.
I felt for sorry for the lads on Sarurday, yeah i did give them greif as well but the full frustration of what was going on got to us lot which we passed to them so negativity all round.
This wek will be different and hopefully back to winning ways for all of us.
Posted by: swindon_lad, Swindon on 4:38pm Mon 17 Dec 07
Bryne can **** off. Hes publicly slating players for a bad performance?
Well im going to public slate him for utter **** tatics. Hes playing our top striker down the wing, our worst striker as a loan striker and Paynters on the bench? Idiot.
Bryne can **** off. Hes publicly slating players for a bad performance?
Well im going to public slate him for utter **** tatics. Hes playing our top striker down the wing, our worst striker as a loan striker and Paynters on the bench? Idiot.
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