PAUL Davis fears his reign as Stratford Town’s interim manager could be coming to an end after Tuesday’s dismal defeat to Barwell.
The 5-1 humiliation at the Arden Garages Stadium left Town fifth from bottom in Southern Premier Central and having picked up just four points from nine games since Tommy Wright departed as boss.
Davis was desperately disappointed and admitted he was uncertain whether he would still be in charge for Saturday’s home fixture against Bromsgrove Sporting.
“I’ve just said to the players that sort of performance means that you don’t want me in charge,” he told the Stratford Town Independent Supporters Association.
“I commented before about taking one step forward and two steps back. I felt we have been taking forwards steps recently but tonight we’ve just plummeted and I have to admit I never saw it coming as it did.
“But it’s clearly not acceptable. The players have to show how good they are and if they don’t they need to be changed.
“I want to be a manager. I want to manage this football club and I work relentlessly and tirelessly for this football club, but I can’t change that dressing room again.
“But we now move forward to the Bromsgrove game on Saturday.
“The players may have the chance to put it right as it will be too late to bring others in, but I think that you will have some news before that game and I have to say I will be amazed if I’m still talking to you then.”
Stratford had showed their battling spirit last weekend by recovering from 2-0 down to earn a draw at St Ives Town.
Davis felt they had done enough to secure their first away win with the number of chances they created but they were indebted to two goals from substitute Kyle McFarlane to take a point.
That had seemed unlikely after Dylan Wilson’s ninth-minute opener and Matt Foy made it 2-0 seven minutes into the second period but Stratford’s pressure finally told.
On Tuesday, Town were second best from the start and were fortunate to be still in the contest at half-time. Despite going behind to the first of Omotolani Omotola’s hat-trick on 26 minutes, the hosts levelled on the stroke of half-time when Ravi Shamsi converted from Kai Woollard-Innocent’s return ball.
Barwell were not to be denied though and Tristan Dunkley (59), Omotola (66 and 76) and Kai Williams (71) wrapped up the win, which could have been even bigger but for some excellent saves by Sam Lomax.
