Julian Dicks fury after 6-1 drubbing of Wivenhoe (From Gazette)

Wivenhoe Town need pride and passion

10:20am Friday 13th March 2009 in Search

JULIAN Dicks is demanding that his players start to show the passion and pride that was lacking in their 6-1 drubbing at Mildenhall Town in midweek.

The results brought the Dragons to earth with an almighty bump following the euphoria of their first win in 14 games last weekend, but manager Dicks wants his players to show they have the right commitment in tomorrow’s Ridgeons League premier division game against Ely City at Broad Lane (kick-off 3pm).

“We did not try (at Mildenhall),” said Dicks.

“I understand you do get beaten as long as everyone tries, but to be honest we didn’t try in my opinion.

“We came back down to earth with a massive bump.

“As long as people show passion I will back them all the way, but if they don’t, there is no point in them playing for Wivenhoe.

“I haven’t got a big enough squad to say that, but they showed no pride or passion and I’m still not happy with the fitness as there are some players only lasting 50 or 60 minutes.”

The performance of his players wasn’t the only thing that displeased Dicks in the game at Mildenhall as he was also not happy with the standard of the officiating.

He added: “Something has to be done about the standard.

“I understand they make mistakes, but I felt some of the decisions were unbelievable.”

Meanwhile, the Dragons’ match preparations have been handed a boost by the donation of £1,400 of training gear by Colchester-based sports equipment servicing company Sportsafe UK and Dicks went along to the firm’s Eastgates headquarters to collect the equipment this week from managing director Jon Neill.