EMOTIONAL Paul Collicutt questioned whether footballers share the pain of their gaffers after watching Evesham United lose to Thatcham on Sunday.

The 2-1 defeat was a fourth straight home setback for the Robins with a visibly-deflated Collicutt pulling no punches in the wake of a post-match meeting with chairman Jim Cockerton and vice-chair Dave Wright.

“There was a conversation in the changing room after the game and the players know how I feel. By hook or by crook we have to turn it around,” said Collicutt.

“We have won five and lost three out of eight in the league. There is a big difference between three points and one and that’s one of the reasons we are in a play-off position.

“If we had won on Sunday we would have gone top but on the other hand, it was our fourth home defeat on the trot and that’s not good enough.

“I have to look at something along the line, though. You have to be strong at home to be successful at any level.

“What happened hurts me and that’s just how I am as a person, whatever I do I give 100 per cent.

“Players being players turn up, pick up the money and goodbye. They are a different breed today but there’s a bit more to it on the management side.

Collicutt went on to call for patience with a side that was dramatically reshaped over the summer but shared in the “disappointment” of those frustrated.

“When I arrived the club had got through four managers in 16 months and I said I would be here for the marathon not the sprint. Like anything, teams take time to build," he added.

“Supporters pay their money and personally, I would like to thank them for that. It is only right they have their opinions and the disappointment they feel at the moment is understandable.”

On the match, Collicutt said: “We got punished and then they scored a very good goal.

“Having been in a comfortable position at half-time you make clear what you want but we didn’t defend as well as I know we can.

“I was bitterly disappointed not to get anything. We had a chance at the death through Will Tunnicliff and had he hit the target we would have scored.

“Unfortunately we are making silly mistakes and getting punished for them. We are not helping ourselves at all.

“To move on you have to cut out the errors. The one thing I have to do is get it sorted because we haven’t kept a clean sheet at home this season.

“That said, an area where we have suffered is at the back. Through injury, illness, suspension or work commitments I have never had a full set of defenders to choose from and without doubt, that has played its part.”

Collicutt said he had not seen debutant Kye Simpson's red card incident but will be discussing the matter with the new striker at training.

Next up is Saturday’s home clash with Highworth Town, promoted alongside Thatcham from the Hellenic League last season (3pm).

Experienced trio Shayne Anson, Ashley Williams and Carl Brown remain sidelined and Will Wellon is suspended. The fitness of Steve Davies and Nathan Summers will be assessed in the build up.