Reality check

9:23am Monday 4th August 2008

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WEYMOUTH manager John Hollins slammed his players for an abject performance after Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Yeovil Town at the Wessex Stadium.

The Terras' boss thought his side's showing was poor and he was quick to promise that such a disappointing performance will never happen again.

The Blue Square Premier outfit fielded trialist keeper Richard Bernard due to an injury to Danny Knowles and he and his second-half replacement James Beale were the only two players to be given any credit by Hollins who thought his men never got going.

He said: "Apart from the two keepers there was poor quality throughout and I was not happy with that all, and believe me they will be a lot sharper in our opening league game against Grays Athletic next week that is for sure.

"We just did not get going and our touch and movement was poor but I also think it could be a good lesson for us because it proved that we are not as good as what we think we are.

"Our previous five games were all satisfactory but today it just did not come alive for me.

"You cannot just turn up and expect it to happen. Take their goal for example. Richard makes a great save but when the ball goes back to their striker everyone just stood there saying offside'. There was just no reaction there at all and it was very disappointing.

"I am a manager who tells it how it is and I suppose you could call today a reality check.

"Their number ten, Gavin Tomlin, had so many touches and chances and we should not have allowed that.

"We played against Lee Trundle here recently and did not give him a sniff but today we just stood off people and did not get tight enough. And I can promise you now, we will not play like that again, not while I am here."

The Terras were forced to replace striker Stuart Beavon after half an hour but he will be fit for this Saturday's Blue Square Premier curtain-raiser.

Hollins added: "Stuart has a bit of a bug. It is nothing that is going to cause a problem but we did not want him to sweat too much or lose too much weight just in case it made it worse, that is why we brought him off as a precaution."

Bernard pulled off several fine stops during the game but there was nothing he could do to stop Aiden Downes' winning goal on 36 minutes.

The young keeper made a superb block to deny Paul Warne's initial shot but that left him stranded allowing Downes to tap in a pass across goal at the far post from close range.

Hollins said: "Richard drove down here from Fleet. It took him 4.5 hours and he did not get to the ground until 2.45pm but he went out there and did really well.

"He has played in Division One in Scotland, and I think he has also been at Woking as well, and we will continue to look at him.

"Young James also did well when he came on in the second half. He had a couple of saves to make and was in the right place for both of them and he clearly has potential."

Trialist Andy Taylor again started for the Terras but his situation in terms of a possible deal remains the same. Hollins also quashed a rumour linking the club with two unnamed Bristol Rovers players and admitted he has ended his interest in striker Anthony Mason.

He said: "There is nobody else at the moment. What we have got we have got."

* Weymouth hold a Fans' Forum at the Wessex Stadium tomorrow night.

In attendance will be the management team of John Hollins and Alan Lewer, chairman Malcolm Curtis, chief executive Gary Calder and club captain Ryan Williams.

Supporters need to arrive and be seated by 6.45pm.