For Als, ‘time to put up or shut up’

TORONTO On Saturday night, the Toronto Argonauts will attempt to win a second consecutive game for the first time this season. The Alouettes, meanwhile, are simply trying to win a game. Period.

“I’m always optimistic we’re going to put together a performance that’s capable of winning games,” slotback Nik Lewis said.

“As a man, you don’t like getting your ass whupped. We’re not just losing games, we’re getting our ass whupped. As a man, you have to step up and be better.”

The Als and Argos meet Saturday (7 p.m., TSN1/4/5, RDS, CJAD Radio 800) at BMO Field for the second time in five weeks.

And how the dynamics have changed in a relatively short period of time.

Montreal was 3-4 and had a chance to secure first place in the East Division on the afternoon of Aug. 19. Instead, Toronto took a 35-0 halftime lead en route to a 38-6 pummelling of the visitors from Quebec.

The Als have never recovered.

They’re on a five-game losing streak and fired head coach Jacques Chapdelaine and defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe more than a week ago.

“I can give you all the quotes that you want, all the same knick-knack things we’ve been saying every time,” tailback Tyrell Sutton said.

“Enough talking. It’s time to put up or shut up.

“We have six games left. We don’t have too much time. We can talk until we’re blue in the face. If we don’t go out and put up some points, keep the defence off the field and do all the things we’ve been saying the last three years ...”

The Als have a 3-9 record and are faced with as close to a must-win scenario as possible in the weak East Division. They must finish first or second to qualify for the playoffs and trail the second-place Argos (5-7) by four points. Toronto would also clinch the season series with a victory.

The Argos are 4-2 at home, while the Als are winless in five road games. Montreal is the only Canadian Football League team yet to win on the road.

“It’s a game that could make a difference in our season. This is a game that gives us a chance,” middlelinebacker Kyries Hebert said. “We understand the magnitude of it.

“I get more and more frustrated and (peeved) by the losses. I’m ready for this s--- to end.”

General manager Kavis Reed, now the Als’ interim head coach, said the focus must change from mustwin and post-season.

He wants the players concentrating instead on fundamentals and execution — two key ingredients largely missing from the team’s offence.

But just as good teams get used to winning, losing teams often seem incapable of changing their ways.

“I can’t deny that,” Reed admitted.

“The results we’ve been getting haven’t been the results of winning.”