19/4/03 - Carty is backing Barton outburst

The St George's Lane manager kept the players back for more than an hour in a bid to thrash out the root cause of City's slump in results.

It was a frank exchange of views but well worth it according to the veteran left-back.

"A lot of positive things were said as well as negative in a bid to iron out what has gone wrong," said Carty.

"John Barton made it clear to the players that they are playing for their shirts and rightly so.

"Things were said, everybody had their say and we all know where we stand, as we have done all season.

"Mentally we are still focused but things are just not happening for us and the last three or four games we've been under par and that has shown on the pitch.

"The lads don't go out with the intention of giving less than 100 per cent but we have been struggling.

"We're not scratching out the 1-0s that we did and are not keeping enough clean-sheets. Defensively we haven't been as strong lately and consequently we are losing."

Carty's assessment of the situation is borne out by a quick comparison of City's defensive record during the last six games and in the first 10 games of the season. In their last six matches City have conceded 10 goals which is more than twice as many as they let in their opening 10 games of the season when they let in just four.

At the other end of the pitch goals scored has been a problem throughout with just Adam Webster and Darren Middleton hitting the net with any kind of regularity.

In their first 11 league games City scored just 13 goals and despite improving the tally slightly for their last 11 games to 18 goals that included nine goals in two matches with six against Folkestone.

City play their final home match of the season against Grantham Town next Saturday following which is the club's annual end of season dinner at Sixways Rugby Club. Tickets are £25 and details can be obtained by calling the club on 01905-23003.