‘We’re missing our fans more than most’
Alan Devonshire admitted the Magpies were missing their supporters more than most teams after a promising first half display gave way to an error-strewn and disjointed second half against Hartlepool on Saturday.
Devonshire admitted the 4-0 scorline looked really bad on paper, but doesn’t think it tells the full story of a game Maidenhead looked capable of winning comfortably in the first period.
Danilo Orsi-Dadomo and Ryan Upward passed up several chances to establish a healthy lead for the hosts before the visitors edged in front through Alan Massey's own goal and then took control in the second half. .
“It looks like a 4-0 defeat and we were terrible or whatever, but they got away with it, Jesus,” said Devonshire.
“First half we were really good, second half we were really bad. That’s all I can say.
We’re missing the fans more than anyone right now. We’re missing them big time because now it turns into a mental game for the players.
“The crowd would have helped us the other night when we were leading 2-1 against King’s Lynn with eight minutes to go. If we were under pressure, they would have lifted us and got us through.
“We don’t have the experienced players that a lot of these ex-league teams do. I believe we’re missing the fans but that’s no excuse for that second half display. We played well in the first half, so I’m not going to dig the players out for that. We went in behind to a soft goal, but if we’d taken our chances we’d have been in front.
“Then, within five minutes of the second half we’re 3-0 down and the game was over.”
Devonshire added that football ‘isn’t the same’ without fans, but he knows the side must find a way of raising their performances and picking up points without their support.
“They help, our fans help,” he said. “They get behind us. Even if we’re struggling, they support and get behind the team. It’s eerie at the minute. I just feel for them. Football isn’t the same. We just need a win, the squad I think is ok for now, but I’ve got a few positions I’ll look to sort out in the next few weeks. After that I think we’ll be ok. We seem to be getting punished for everything now, but hopefully our luck will change.”