By Brian Bennett
Paul Robinson has urged the hierarchy at Ashington to ‘act sharp’ and install a new manager in the wake of Saturday’s woeful display and 1-0 defeat against East Division newcomers Sherwood Colliery at Woodhorn Lane.
Robinson, Gary Ormston and Andrew Cartwright were appointed by the club as the interim management team following the departure of Andy Coyles and Richie Hill at the beginning of September.
Robinson commented: “I have said to the lads that the performance today looked like it came from a team that needed a manager – not just one of the lads on the sidelines doing it – and I think the club need to act sharp and get someone in before the season kind of tails off.”
After a low-key contest against the Nottinghamshire-based outfit, Robinson reflecting on the game added: “I thought the first half was really flat and lack-lustre and nothing really happened. I thought they (Sherwood) were marginally better than us. I said to the lads at half time that they had to liven up and that the game was passing to many people by. We changed a few things tactically on how we got out from the goalkeeper which worked to be fair but ultimately we haven’t done enough in the final third and we only really looked threatening when we put Eddie Thomas on and started going a bit more direct.”
He continued: “It was a close game that looked like it was heading for a 0-0 draw to be fair and although they probably had the better of the chances, we’re disappointed to come out on the wrong end of it. After they scored their goal, I thought we huffed and puffed but ultimately a lack of quality in the final third has cost us. We chucked balls into the box and looked as if we might score but before that there was no real spark possibly until AJ (Andrew Johnson) and Cam Gascoigne came on.”
Michael Ndiweni had a couple of chances and Robinson said: “The header he had near the end was after a good passage of play and a really good ball in from Craig Spooner. Michael got across but the ball has just landed the wrong side of the post. Did we deserve to win today? Probably not. A point might have been fair but they (Sherwood Colliery) will probably say they deserved it so I’ve got no issue with that.”
Ashington move onto Tuesday night’s NPL East Division home match against Sheffield FC with Robinson setting the players a challenge: “I’ve just said to the lads that I don’t think our home record this season is particularly good – so that is something that needs to change because for a club that wants to get into the play offs and possibly even higher you need to start winning your home games.”