Halesowen boss attacks players

Halesowen manager Martin O'Connor has demanded more desire from his team after admitted they 'lost the art of defending' over the summer.

The Yeltz made a stuttering start to the new Southern League season this week, drawing 3-3 at Hemel Hempstead before losing 2-0 to Bedford in their opening home match.

And an angry O'Connor admitted he had some strong words for his players in the wake of Tuesday's disappointing homecoming.

He said: "It's been a poor start to the season, there's no question about it.

"We have lost the art of defending over the summer.

"Last season we worked hard to keep clean sheets and it worked out well for us.

"This year we have played two games so far and conceded five goals, which just isn't good enough.

"If you can't defend properly you lose football matches, it's as simple as that.

"We need to get back to how we were defending last season. You work on the things that aren't going for you and that's what we will do.

"I wouldn't say there have been harsh words.

"There have been honest words spoken and there have been more than a few of them.

"My players know me well enough by now to know that I am honest with them.

"If something isn't good enough and there are things I'm not happy with I will tell them, and that's what has happened so far."

And O'Connor is clear about what he sees as the reasons for the disappointing start to the campaign.

The former Walsall and Birmingham midfielder, whose never-say-die style made him a fans' favourite in his playing days, reckons that at lack of desire has been at the root of his current side's problems in their opening two fixtures.

He said: "It's all about desire. It's about having the mental attitude to be willing to get hurt to prevent a goal from going in," added O'Connor.

"Some of my players just haven't shown that at the start of this season, and it goes back to the programme we had in pre-season.

"There were signs of this in some of the pre-season matches and it's something we have to improve.

"If you don't defend properly and concede too many goals and then you don't take you're chances at the other end you don't win many matches.

"It's pretty simple really," admitted the Yeltz boss.

"O'Connor has, however, been encouraged by some of the attacking play produced by his side so far.

"We look capable of creating chances to score when we go forward and that is great, but we have to defend better," he said.