Manager Chris Richards is demanding his Ludlow Town side shake off their “end of season” mentality after conceding 10 goals in their last two outings.
A 6-1 battering at Brierley and Withymoor was followed by a 4-1 beating at Old Wulfrunians last weekend as the season slides towards a disappointing conclusion. Although having little to play for in the West Midland League premier division, Richards is looking for a big improvement from his mid-table outfit in their remaining two games.
“Part of the fault has been mine, I’ve not really chased players to play and subsequently we’ve not gone into our last two games with our strongest sides,” he said.
“Our better players have also got a bit complacent, and not performed like they can.
“But we’ll certainly be looking to get some of the missing lads back for this weekend and I’ll be ringing around to make sure we put out as strong a team as possible tomorrow.”
He added: “A bit of an end of season mentality has crept in.
“Things have gone a bit flat but it’s important to get something from our last two games which we can take into next season.
“The lads are talking a good game, but are not doing it on the pitch and some are going through the motions.
“If you don’t put in 110 per cent in this league, then you don’t get anything.”
Ludlow play their final away game at mid-table rivals Tividale tomorrow, before wrapping up their campaign the following week at home to Lye Town.
Old Wulfrunians looked far hungrier last Saturday, with their places at stake for a forthcoming cup final.
“They are a good side who I believe will be challenging for the league next season,” added Richards.
“They are in the Wolverhampton Cup final and were up for the game while we’re just treading water at the moment.”
Ludlow had started well enough with Marcus Sharrad and Dan Tolley proving an early threat but they were always up against it once they went behind to a penalty.
Lucas Bladen lost possession 30 yards out and, in his desperation to retrieve the situation, brought the home forward down in the box.
A second goal left the visitors trailing 2-0 at the break but they still felt they were in the game before a third strike in the second half effectively killed off their challenge.
Jack Keating did pull one back after some good endeavour from Tolley who closed down the defence, but it was the home side who had the last word with their fourth goal.
