THESE are concerning times for Worcester City.

Following a poor start to the season, which has seen them take just four points from a possible 21, the team find themselves bottom but one in Vanarama National League North.

The goals have dried up and they are shipping them cheaply with alarming regularity — Monday’s 4-1 defeat to Hednesford Town at Aggborough being a case in point.

Aligned with some shocking discipline that has resulted in four players being sent off already, it’s added up to a pretty miserable few weeks for Carl Heeley and Matt Gardiner’s side.

Even more so given that many, myself included, thought City would do well following their ninth-placed finish last season. Or at least do better than they are.

But perhaps this is the problem. In reality, do we expect too much? Has the progress of the last two campaigns, as well as the FA Cup adven - ture, created an artificial level of expectation?

It is worth remembering that City have punched way above their weight since leaving St George’s Lane.

When they first arrived at Aggborough, they were expected to be relegation fodder.

As it was, they evolved into, at times, an excellent and entertaining side, providing fans with some of the most memorable moments for many years.

It is because of that backdrop that the start to the season has taken many by surprise.

The sense of optimism that existed prior to August 8 has dissipated.

Players who shone last term, such as Sean Geddes, Ellis Deeney and Daniel Nti, have flitted in and out of form.

Defensively, for all the summer recruitment, they lack a leader in the mould of Wayne Thomas to organise things.

The three-at-the-back experiment was ditched early on in favour of the more traditional four but City  are already pushing double figures when it comes to personnel used in their defensive line.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out the longer that level of disruption goes on, the worse things are likely going to get.

Put together, it has led to a total lack of confidence throughout the team, something Gardiner alluded to following the Hednesford shambles.

But in Heeley and Gardiner the club have an experienced management duo who were also capable defenders in their playing days.

You’d like to think the City bosses will sort that area out sooner rather than later.