Coventry Sphinx manager Luke Hopkins has admitted that he was embarrassed by Sphinx’s 6-0 loss to Coleshill Town yesterday.
“There was a couple of changes from the good win at Alvechurch on Saturday, but nothing that ever lead me to believe we would fall 6-0 at home to Coleshill,” Hopkins said.
“We were without Carl O’Neill, Luke Williams, Giovanni Dainty, Adam Sullivan and haven’t had Kiam Galdins for a few weeks, whilst Ashley Jackson with a split eye was on the bench if needed and he was.
“But the eleven sent out to do a job were more than capable I believe and perhaps it shows the level of passion and desire that appears when we are only playing to secure a top six finish.
“No leagues or cup finals on the table and 4-0 down at half time. i can’t accept performances like that and perhaps it’s unfair on one or two who were trying including young Callum Drake, who came in from the under 16’s and didn’t do too bad for his first start which was certainly one he won’t forget and Jack Farthing in goal, who made some good saves but was left helpless by some of the goals and players being able to get free shots off in the box.
“I don’t want it to end on a sour note as over the fifty games we have had more good times than bad and we are really starting to look tired but that’s the risk I have ran in having a young squad.
“The weathering of games on the body isn’t something the younger lads are used to and the lads who have made the step up in levels.
“If we can secure the sixth place finish and reflect on the season, getting to the FA Cup third round qualifier and being beat by a decent Worcester City outfit who don’t concede many goals at all and reflect in how we competed with them until the last twenty minutes where the difference in fitness and quality levels came through, myself and all the management team can be proud of what we have achieved with the resources available.
“We go into Saturday with the longest away journey of the season and last time it was in the FA Vase where the game was delayed for an hour due to an incident on the M42.
“I’m just hoping the lads have a bit in them that wants to put right the score-line from last time against half a team and the mess from Monday and finish the season on a good mood ready for a six week break before we do it all again.
The way to improve on a top six place is to challenge next season. We have proved we can compete with the top teams but it’s the consistent high level we need to work on and maintain,"