‘Worst ever performance’

Mark Shaw branded Saturday’s 7-2 defeat at Ramsbottom as the worst performance in his managerial career.

And he was sure to let his men know what he thought.

He told the Guardian: “Saturday was horrendous, probably the worst performance I’ve had from a team in my life.”

“Three goals in quick succession tore us apart.”

“We made some mistakes, looked a little tired, but we did not play well.”

“They’ve had a lot of stick from me on Saturday and at training on Monday, so to come to Stocksbridge and have the guts to win is important.”

He wasn’t altogether happy on Tuesday night either, despite taking three points from Stocksbridge in a 5-4 win, highlighting an inability to defend balls into the box.

“Where do we go from here with defending crosses? Do I need to stand on the corner flag and put cross after cross in? That’s a bit Under 10s, learning where to stand.”

“We’ve got to be harder to beat. Sometimes it’s too easy.”

And the gaffer likened his team to another side who were known for being young and impetuous.

“We’re a bit like Arsenal two years ago, winning games 5-2 and having players sent off because they’re young and naive.”

“But we’re working them really hard, we’re putting some unbelievable hours in on the training ground.”

On Saturday’s selection of new man Patrece Liburd ahead of Chris Salt, Shaw added: “The idea with the FA Trophy was to have a look at someone we’ve signed.”

“Chris Salt has done nothing wrong, he’s a good player, Laurence is a good player and to be fair Patrece is a good player, albeit he didn’t have the best of starts.”