Fleet Boss Furious But Refuses To Give Up On Survival Fight

The bottom side crumbled at home to Solihull Moors last weekend, losing 6-0 to a side who were reduced to ten men after nine minutes.

Watling said he was “gobsmacked” and “livid” following the weekend’s game, leaving the club with just one win all season.

Ahead of their trip to AFC Fylde, he says he won’t give up on survival but will not tolerate what he watched at the Kuflink Stadium on Saturday.

“I’ve tried to protect the players since I have told them I won’t be going out to defend them after that,” he said. “I told them after the game that I had no words to defend them with.

“I questioned their professionalism, their willingness to run and to play for people who have been watching this club for 30 years. They want the brilliant basics - to tackle, to run and to fight.

“We did that in the first half, but we didn’t in the second. I can’t accept that and I can’t wear it. They have to.

“I felt that we turned the corner two weeks ago but let’s not try and protect people, Solihull walked the ball in the goal twice.

“I told them to not expect a good week at training. We’ve got to make a fight of this. We need more from everybody. It’s not in my vocabulary to give up.”