MIKE Fowler believes Redditch United have too many players with ‘main character energy’ following a derby defeat against Worcester City.
The Reds lost 4-1 against Worcester at the Valley Stadium with teenager Omari Brown on target for Redditch for the second game in succession.
A brace from Nathan Hayward, either side of goals from Charlie Lutz and Dan Sweeney, inflicted a heavy defeat on the Reds while Reece Flanagan saw a penalty saved with the home side a goal behind.
And Redditch boss Fowler was scathing in his assessment of his side’s performance in the derby clash.
Fowler said: “It went wrong from the start. It’s not something that’s new. I know these things are coming.
“When we get things against us and we’re still doing those bad habits, it hurts us more, that’s why we’ve conceded four goals.
“The lads have been booed off and rightly so. The fans deserve better, they were singing all game, the fans were way better than us.
“I’ve got to take responsibility as the manager ultimately. The message is given, the [players] look, they hear but are they listening and taking it on board?
“I’ve defended them several times over some really questionable performances. I’ve defended them better than they’ve defended [in this game].
“We’ve got too many players with main character energy – ‘I’m the man, I don’t need to go and do that’ – they’re all waiting for somebody else to take responsibility.
“That can’t happen. I’m sick of saying it so now I’ve got to change the people.
“A lot of players out there caved, gave in and threw the towel in and that’s not a team I can have here.”
Fowler confirmed loanee Fabian Reynolds has returned to parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers following a productive spell at the Valley Stadium.
And the Redditch boss is targeting new recruits in January to freshen up his squad following a run of three games without a win.
Fowler added: “In terms of left-back yes [we’re looking at the transfer market].
“We’ve tried to get a couple [of players] in but we keep hitting brick walls.
“We need to freshen it up and get bodies back. We need to get somebody in the midfield that can do the dirty stuff.
“We need to recruit and get a couple of fresh faces. People who are hungry to do the dirty stuff.”
Redditch are next in action against Stratford Town on Saturday, January 10 with kick-off at 3pm at the Arden Garages Stadium.
