Gus will face the fans in night of debate
COLWYN BAY boss Gus Williams could face some searching questions at a Meet the Manager night planned at the club for next Tuesday (7pm).
Still looking for his first point after three straight defeats since taking over, the new chief knows his side are now in a full-blown relegation fight after dropping into the bottom three of the Conference North with last Saturday’s embarrassing 3-0 home thumping by 10-man Hednesford Town.
Three goals in nine second-half minutes, all stemming from free kicks into the area, gave the Staffordshire side victory after having skipper Darren Campion sent off in the first half.
In truth, they dominated much of the second period with the wind behind them, while Colwyn Bay managed only two shots on target in the game.
That was the Bay’s 10th home defeat in 15 league games at Llanelian Road and has prompted some strong comments from fans on the club’s website.
Although Williams still has faith in his squad, he will be hard-pressed to convince fans who have seen the side lose five games in a row and go 11 matches without a win since beating Gloucester City in November.
A lack of passion for the club caused by too many loan players is one criticism, and in the last two games the side has collapsed alarmingly in the second half once they have conceded a goal.
Williams admits there are areas that need to be worked on and is under no illusions of the size of the task ahead.
“We know the position we are in and without a shadow of a doubt we have a huge few weeks ahead of us,” he agreed.
Finding new players at this time of the season who are better than those already in the squad, of course, is hard going and for the most part Williams has to work with what he has got.
He was in talks with Wigan Athletic this week in a bid to extend defender Michael Wilson’s loan deal until the end of the season to try and keep a settled back four for the remaining weeks of the campaign, but Anthony Stephens returning to Wrexham and the continued absence of injured Marc Williams for the past five weeks have been two huge blows which the team have struggled to overcome.
Fans will certainly want some reassurance from the manager next Tuesday on how things can be turned around.
A nominal entry charge of £3 will be made to aid club funds.
This weekend the team face the long trek to Lowestoft Town, who are one of the six teams above them within catching distance.
The Suffolk outfit were promoted to the Conference North this season.
The Bay will travel down on Friday and stay overnight in Great Yarmouth to give themselves the best possible preparation.