Cray Wanderers boss Tony Russell: We need to have a clear out of a couple, two possibly three are going to have to go just because they’re not capable of not delivering what we’re asking them to do

CRAY WANDERERS manager Tony Russell says he is going to wield the axe after admitting two or three of his players aren’t capable of carrying out his instructions.

The Wands are sitting in second-place in the Ryman League Division One North table but yesterday’s 3-2 defeat to Brighlingsea Regent at Hayes Lane leaves them six points adrift of leaders AFC Sudbury, who have a game in hand.

Cray Wanderers raced into a 2-0 lead inside 22 minutes through striker Ben Hunt’s brace – before it quickly went downhill.

The Essex side were level in the 28^th minute through Jake Clowsley and Russell Malton, who capped off his man-of-the-match performance by scoring the winner, a 35-yard drive after only 39 seconds into the second half.

Cray Wanderers substitute Uche Ibemere was stretchered off with his second leg break of his career within seconds of coming on and faces a long road to recovery.

“We’re looking to bring a couple in. We’ve got some irons in the fire and we’re waiting to hear back,” said Russell, who yesterday admitted defeat in the title race as his players can’t cope with the pressure.

“We need to have a clear out of a couple, two possibly three are going to have to go just because they’re not capable of not delivering what we’re asking them to do. 

“They’re all very good players individually yes, but if they’re not going to do the job we’re asking them to do, it’s pointless.”

Russell revealed that 14-goal striker Andre McCollin, 30, who was playing for Aldershot Town last season, has returned to Kingstonian and central defender Joe Vines has signed for Chatham Town.

McCollin was the highest paid earner at the club and Russell said: “We wish them both well and we all move on.

“It was just the right move for everyone, right move for him, right move for us,” Russell said Croydon-based McCollin’s return to Ryman Premier League Kingstonian.

“It came about on Friday and we thought about it and yes that’s fine. I spoke to Andre and Tommy (Williams, manager) and had a good conversation. It was all done very quickly and we wished each other well.”

For Vines, he has dropped down to play more regular football.

“They put in a seven-dayer, they’re looking for a centre half,” said Russell.

“Vinsey has been on the bench for us not getting the minutes he wanted. He’s been as good as gold. They offered him minutes.  We had a really good conversation and he said he just wants to play at his age.

“Lewis Tozer just found out he can’t play football no more because he’s got an injury, with that in mind Joe just wants to play as long as he can play.

“I said you don’t have to wait for the seven-dayer, you’ve been as good as gold. We’ll cancel your (registration) form.”

Vines is a respected semi-professional footballer and Russell believes he will follow in his footsteps into football management.

“I remember when I managed Nick Davis, having spent time with him I always knew he’d go into management,” Russell said of the now Sittingbourne player-manager.

“When you talk to someone, Vinsey’s very much the same. He’s a thinker, the way he talks to players. If you have a conversation at training the way he thinks about the game, he’s very good.

“I think you’ll see him at a dug-out near you.

“I generally wish him well, he’s a great guy for the dressing room. He’s a loss but I fully understand, that’s why we cancelled his form. He didn’t have to wait for it and we wish him all the best.”

Cray Wanderers travel to Waltham Abbey next Saturday, a side that celebrated winning only their third league win of the season yesterday, winning 2-1 at Phoenix Sports.

Russell said: “Any fixture we play in this league, if we play well, we will win. I honestly think that.

“If we go there and do the right things we will win. At the moment we’re in a transitional period. We’re vulnerable and what we have to do as a side and as a club, we’ve just got to stick together, work hard, grind it out and see this little period over.

“Whatever position we find ourselves in, go from there. If we’re in the play-offs, if we’re not, whatever it needs to be but we have to make sure we’re going to football and we’re listening to what the manager’s saying.”

Visit Cray Wanderers’ website:  www.cray-wanderers.com

Waltham Abbey  v  Cray Wanderers
Ryman League Division One North
Saturday 23^rd January 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Capershotts, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1NX