Simon Colbran, manager of Ryman League Division One South club Horsham, has dismissed suggestions that his side were under-prepared for Saturday's FA Cup tie as 'ridiculous' but admitted to feeling embarrassed by another poor performance and hinted that he may be forced to bring in new recruits before the weekend visit of Tooting & Mitcham United.
The Hornets manager (pictured) believes that his side got out of jail after Tony Nwachukwu's 85th minute spot-kick earned his team another crack at reaching the FA Cup First Qualifying Round but revealed that a repeat performance in Tuesday night's replay could spell the end of the road for some of his squad.
"We didn't play very well at all so we're relieved to still be in the cup," he said. "In all honesty, I didn't doubt for one minute that we would win comfortably so I couldn't believe it when they scored. We had long periods of the match where we were on top but we let ourselves down in the final third.
"We just weren't shooting from the right areas and our crossing was pretty poor but it took a fantastic goal to get us back on terms. We probably only had three or four players who came out of the game with any credit and both the goals we conceded were poor in my view which just isn't good enough. Raynes Park shouldn't have been able to live with us, with the players we had out there, so we've told some of them after the game to go away and think about upping their game and prove to me that they have a future with this club otherwise I'll be moving them on."
Colbran admitted that he understood supporters' frustrations at the result but expressed his disappointment at suggestions that he had failed to instil the importance of the tie to his team before the match: "I've read some comments on the forum and, while I accept that everyone is entitled to their opinion, it does frustrate me when I see suggestions that we failed to prepare the team properly.
"I've been a manager for eight years so am not new to the role. This is the FA Cup. Of course we spoke about the importance of the prize money because anything we win goes in to the player budget so something like that is vital to a club like Horsham. We also talked about pride, the passion, commitment, teamwork and every aspect of the game but sometimes it just doesn't happen for you.
"It's total nonsense when I see people saying that we weren't bothered about winning. Of course we were trying to win it. It didn't help that some of the players had a poor game and let's not forget that Ian Varley, Gary Charman, Matt Simpson, Wayne Clarke and Billy Medlock were all carrying knocks. That's not an excuse but an indication of how much these guys want to play. They all had fitness tests before the game but were determined to pull on the shirt which I think speaks volumes for their commitment.
"I spoke the other day about our three year plan and it seems that this has been forgotten already. I just ask that supporters keep their faith in me and the team. Every side has ups and downs throughout a season and I'd like to think that we've had our downs at the start of this one.
"I honestly don't think that we're far off being a good side. The fans are frustrated that we're not putting our chances away, and so am I, but suggestions that we should play Gary (Charman) up front isn't an option as far as I'm concerned. He was fantastic all game but people should understand that when you've just been relegated, and everything's up in the air, you need to sort out your defence first and that's what we're trying to do.
"Gary is a superb player who is so important at the back for us right now because if you have a weak back four or five then you're always going to be vulnerable. I want to reassure everyone that I'm always looking to strengthen the squad where I can but you have to remember that top quality strikers are going to cost you a couple of hundred pounds a week and we just don't have that sort of money."
Horsham will be without Charlie Farmer for Tuesday night's replay, with the former Worthing man now unavailable for a fortnight, but otherwise Colbran reports a clean bill of health after Saturday's match.
The match will kick-off at 7.45pm, and the tie will be decided on the night with extra-time and penalties taken if required. The winners will travel to Kent League side VCD Athletic on Saturday 8th September.
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