CO-CAPTAIN Luke English has thrown his support behind under-fire boss Ashley Vincent and reckons Worcester City need a “mean streak” to transform their fortunes.

City languish in 14th place in the Midland Football League Premier Division and were knocked out of the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup by lower-ranked Malvern Town on Monday.

The poor run of form has led to calls for Vincent to be axed as frustration grows among supporters.

But English insists the squad remains united behind the manager ahead of Saturday's FA Vase second-round tie against Dunkirk at Bromsgrove's Victoria Ground (3pm).

“It’s a tough time but we have to stick together as a club and get through it,” said English who shares the captaincy with centre-half Craig Jones.

“All the players are behind the gaffer and we all want to be in the same position which is to get this club to where it should be. We trust the gaffer.

“If he asked me to do something I am going to do it whether I like it or not and all the lads in the changing room would do exactly the same.”

City were drawing 4-4 when Malvern keeper Charlie Weaver sustained a shoulder injury just before half-time and got replaced by defender Harry Wickett.

Leading 5-4, Town then suffered a further blow when Curtis Smith saw red on 67 minutes.

But City struggled to break them down and it took a late English header to send the match to penalties which Malvern won 5-4.

“We can’t be conceding five goals. It’s not where we want to be as a club,” English said.

“They lost their goalkeeper and then the red card in the second half just made it very difficult for us to break them down.

“They just shut up shop with about 25 minutes to go.

“We kept on pushing and got the goal but we had more than enough better chances (to win). We just couldn’t get the ball in the net.

“There were a couple of occasions where the ball just didn’t spin for us.

“When you are on a good run they go for you. But we are on a bit of a bad run at the moment.”

Having changed formation and brought in a number of fringe players, English admitted “communication did lack at some points”.

But the defender refused to excuse City’s poor performance and insisted his team-mates needed to be “meaner” on the pitch.

“Some big players weren’t there on Monday but we still had more than enough quality to win,” English said.

“We conceded soft goals. I know I gave away a penalty which was bad but as a whole we have loads of things to work on.

“We have to be better and be a bit braver and meaner. We need a mean streak.

“I know I have got it. Some of the lads are technically gifted but just need to learn that it’s a man’s game.

“You are not always going to be able to get the ball down and play.

“Sometimes you need to go through someone and let them know you are there.

“You might pick up the odd booking but I think that’s what we have to do moving forward."

On facing Dunkirk, English added: “You don’t like losing, no one does but you can’t dwell on it.

“You have to move on and we want to keep this cup run going.

“Hopefully at the end of the season the fans will have a nice day out at Wembley to speak about.”