GRAHAM Ward says the critics should lay off manager Richard Dryden despite Worcester City’s lowly league position.

The St George’s Lane club go into today’s Blue Square South match at Welling United separated from the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference.

They have only won three times in the league this season and are yet to taste success away from home.

But Ward believes Dryden, who this week marked two years in the job, is doing his best in a bid to succeed.

The right-back, one of just two players who have been at the club throughout Dryden’s reign — the other being Shabir Khan, said: “A lot has changed in two years because the previous manager, Andy Preece, had a lot of money to spend.

“Everybody keeps on slating the gaffer but under the circumstances he and Carl Heeley have done a good job. If you look at the results we are not doing brilliantly but I think they have done a good job.

“I can remember this time last season everybody was asked to take a pay cut so he has managed to assemble a good squad with the money he has been given but we have let him down at times. A lot of managers may have walked but he has stayed and been loyal.”

Ward, who has started 14 games so far this season, knows City need to start picking up points as they head into a crucial stage of the season.

The fixtures come thick and fast over Christmas and New Year and there is also a rearranged trip to Thurrock to fit into the schedule.

“I think we are making a lot of chances but we are not taking them,” the Irishman said.

“We are not going to win games if we don’t take our chances. The league table doesn’t lie.

“All we can do is keep on trying to get the three points and turn it around because if we are still there at Christmas we will end up staying there most of the season.

“I had a similar situation when I was at Tamworth over Christmas when we were second from bottom in the league and ended up winning four in a row and got out of it, so it can be done.

“I haven’t played as much as I would have liked but I have been carrying a couple of knocks and Kevin Spencer and Mark Clyde have played really well.”