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Town's captain hits back at their critics

From the archive, first published Friday 19th Mar 2004.

BASINGSTOKE Town captain Scott Tarr has hit out at renewed criticism of the team following recent poor results.

Town are in their worst slump of the season after five successive morale-sapping defeats.

The run of adverse results has led to some disparaging remarks on the club's official website message board about displays and individual players.

The comments have prompted Tarr to speak out and tell the doubting cynics to stop sniping.

The big goalie, 32, said: "Some of the criticism we get - and there's been a lot - has been harsh.

"The players do get affected by the comments made.

"Earlier this season, people have had a pop at me, saying I was overweight and that it affected my performances. That's not on.

"What these wallies sitting at their computers don't know is how hard we have been working to turn things around.

"If they came down to the ground on training nights instead of posting negative messages, they'd see us working until 10.30pm trying to put things right.

"And that's not just now either. We've put that effort in all season, more so when results haven't gone well."

Tarr continued: "We haven't changed what we've done in training, because we believe the things we do are right.

"It was only a short time ago we were playing with confidence, defending well and couldn't wait for the next game.

"Now confidence is a bit low again. We need to get that back, and also a little bit of luck to come our way too."

Tarr also ventured the opinion that there is a small minority of supporters who are only happy when they can moan.

He added: "Where were they when we had our unbeaten run of six games and kept all those clean sheets? Quiet. We silenced them.

"Now things aren't going so well again, some of them are back. It doesn't help one bit."

Tarr instead urged supporters to rally behind the team and help spur them on.

Town's decline in form has come at the worst possible time.

The FA, earlier this month, unanimously ended the Isthmian League's opposition and legal action to halt the proposed changes to non-league football.

Soho Square's official ratification means Town's immediate target is clearly defined - and getting into the new set-up is a challenge all at the Camrose are desperate to achieve.

But their slack spell of late means they are clinging to the 13th place that will ensure Conference South football next season.

And there are just nine games remaining.

A substantial points return from the 27 up for grabs is vital if Town are to make the Conference South.

Tarr said: "We will keep working hard to get there and we believe that we can."

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