Worksop Town’s bad eggs have all gone off

WORKSOP Town have benefitted from getting rid of the ‘bad eggs’ in the squad, according to leading scorer Leon Mettam.

The striker, signed in the summer after his release from Conference North Gainsborough Trinity, believes the squad are now united behind the management team.

Speaking to the Guardian this week he said: “We’ve got a great set of lads, youngsters and a few experienced heads as well, and we’re doing well, the spirit is really high.”

“We’ve got rid of what some people would call the bad eggs and all the lads are pulling in the same direction now for the gaffer and Freck.”

Mettam, who missed the New Year’s Day clash with quad muscle soreness, has hit the net 16 times this season, but he’s not altogether satisfied.

The 26-year-old admitted: “I’m not really that happy, I want 30 and I’m on 16 at the minute with 12 in the league.”

“Another 14 is not insurmountable before the end of the season, but I let myself down really, missing a penalty at Stocksbridge.”

“Since then I think I’ve won 10 and not taken any of them, so I’d probably be leading scorer in the league, but I don’t get near penalties anymore.”

Most strikers, including Mettam’s strike partner Tom Denton, stick to the tried and tested line that says ‘it doesn’t matter who scores if we win’.

But Mettam is unashamed to declare his desire to be the one finding the target.

“For me getting the goals and the team winning is massive, I’m there to get goals,” he said.

“Assists and a pat on the back are fine, but if you score then the headline says your name, and to be fair that’s what my job is.”

While his tongue-in-cheek assessment of Denton’s mobility will raise a laugh in the Worksop dressing room, Mettam is obviously delighted to be playing alongside the 6ft 5ins targetman.

The duo have struck up an understanding with 30 goals between them, and their ‘little and large’ act has helped Tigers turn their fortunes around this season.

“He’s a good lad. I have to do two men’s runningn because he doesn’t run that much,” Mettam quipped.

“But he’s great to have alongside me, I don’t have to go to win headers and I know he’s more than likely to win the flick on and put me in one on one.”

Another feature of Mettam’s play, other than his knack for scoring, is his vocal nature ability to turn the air blue – traits he shares with manager Simon Clark.

The striker maintains that the relationship is a healthy one however.

“The gaffer wants to get the best out of his players, and me being me I’ll have a little chirp back, rightly or wrongly – I’m always in the wrong according to the gaffer. He’s probably right.”

“After the game it’s forgotten. He wants perfection and if that’s what he wants we have to strive to achieve it.”