If you want to blame someone - blame me
LIAM Watson shouldered full responsibility for Southport’s shock 4-0 defeat to AFC Telford last weekend.
Watson’s former club found the net twice either side of half-time to inflict the Sandgrounders’ first home league reverse since October.
Watson was forced into changes after injury and suspension respectively kept Dean Winnard and Liam Edwards out of the clash with Jordan Richards, Andy Parry, Reagan Ogle and Brad Bauress completing a makeshift back-four.
“Telford have got us on a good day and I’ve got to take the blame for that really,” Watson said afterwards.
“There’s money in the budget to actually bring someone in and I actually thought we’d be good enough, strong enough to actually get through [the clash with Telford.]
“I was clearly wrong. That’s my shout. I’ve got it wrong so I’ve got to hold my hands up. I said they should have brought a centre-half in and I didn’t.
‘Not only did I lose a centre-half but then I lose a left-back because Reagan moves out of position and then Brad, who really is our most-creative player, ends up playing leftback.
“The team was just wrong. The shape of it was wrong and as the manager I’ve got to take responsibility for that. That’s down to me.
“It forced us to play in a different style to what we’ve been playing. Telford got us on a good day.”
Southport have a break in the fixture list next weekend before welcoming table-topping Chorley to Haig Avenue.
Watson has asserted he will continue to scour the transfer market for an additional centre-back ahead of the game following Saturday’s defeat with Edwards also set to return.
When asked if the two-week rest would be favourable to his side following two consecutive defeats, Watson laughed: “Ask me after Chorley!”
“It gives us a chance to get a lot of work into the team. Next game we’re going to be stronger defensively and we just have to try and get back on a run.”