CREWE FC boss Ian O'Reilly has lambasted his side for a shocking showing in Saturday's 3-0 Cheshire Senior Cup home defeat by Chester Nomads.
He has pulled no punches in telling his outfit that things must change if they are to turnaround a desperately disappointing start ton the season.
A run of just one defeat in 15 games at the end of last season raised hopes of a push for promotion and substantial cup runs this term. But even at this stage, hopes are fading.
O'Reilly said: 'The conditions were dreadful and our performance was worse. It was not good enough.
'We have too many big time Charlies here who are not as good as they think they are.
'You only get what you put in, and we put in nothing. Most of our lads have played at a higher level than this so it is hard to understand. My assistant Gary Wood is beside himself with it.
'After the end to last season we thought we would be going for promotion this season, on the quiet. We had added to an already decent team. But we are in a relegation battle now.
'I am fed up with the lot of them. I have backed them to the hilt until now. But they have to start to have a look at themselves from now on. The start we have had is far from acceptable.'
Crewe had conceded a scrappy goal in the first half and were one-down at the break. Chris Hampshire and Lee Westwood had worked to forge openings but genuine chances were few and far between.
A rollicking from the management staff seemed to fall on deaf ears. As Crewe pressed forward for a leveller Westwood found himself clear with just the keeper to beat.
But when the Chester custodian saved well, his side counterattacked the length of the pitch to double their advantage. The scoreline moved to 3-0 only after Graham Taylor had been dismissed for a professional foul.
O'Reilly added: 'I mean no dis-respect to Chester, they worked hard and deserved to win 3-0. But they are not an attractive side and we should be beating sides like that.
'We were worse than a pub team.'
Crewe FC face Sandbach in the Crewe Cup, at the Cumberland Arena, 2pm on Saturday.
Crewe Reserves fared little better. Leading 2-0 with just 20 minutes to go at Cheadle Stoke Linotype, they eventually lost 6-2, after having a man sent off.
Crewe FC boss raps his 'big time Charlies'
