New Year Hangover (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

New Year Hangover

DEPLETED Town headed for Valley Parade today with Andy King warning his players to stop feeling sorry for themselves and banish the inconsistency which could yet shatter their play-off ambitions.

The manager was furious on Saturday as 2005 began with a 3-0 home defeat by Colchester.

Only loanee Lee Holmes escaped the manager's wrath, the youngster putting in a terrific display where so many of his more experienced colleagues failed.

Had he the bodies to carry out such a threat, King warned that he would have made 10 changes for today's reunion with Colin Todd.

Sadly, to do so would probably leave Town with about three players on the pitch at kick-off this afternoon.

Sean O'Hanlon (hamstring) and Christian Roberts (groin) look set to miss out again.

Steve Jenkins was absent, having damaged his back lifting one of his children out of his car and goalkeeper Rhys Evans is touch and go after aggravating his groin injury during Saturday's game.

Whatever his starting 11, King has made his feelings clear.

He said: "I've told the players in no uncertain terms that at Bradford we aren't going to think about playing football, we're going there to be hard to beat and be in a dog-fight.

"There's too many people feeling sorry for themselves and I won't accept it.

"We're very very inconsistent and it's frustrating.

"At it's best it's been good and when it's been bad it's been awful."

Loanee Holmes, though, is far from despondent, and he said: "If we play like we did against Peterborough and Brentford then I don't think bouncing back will be a problem."