AFC Telford United: 'Gutless' players face axe, says Watson

AFC Telford United manager Liam Watson says some of his players need to find another club after Tuesday night's 3-2 Conference defeat at Alfreton Town.

"It was totally gutless. I told one or two in the changing room that they can go. I told them 'go and get yourself a club'," Watson told BBC Shropshire.

"It was just cowardly and embarrassing. Five or six of them looked out of their depth. They don't look up to it."

After a shaky start to the season since promotion back to English non-league football's top flight in April, part-timers Telford appeared to have turned the corner when they held leaders Barnet 2-2 at the Bucks Head on Saturday.

But, after seeing his side go in 3-1 down at the break at Alfreton, Watson labelled it "the worst 45 minutes since I've been Telford manager, probably of my managerial career".

He continued: "They were jumping out of tackles. I've never seen anything like it. It was shambolic, weak defending.

"They are looking miles out of their depth. They've got no heart."

Having kept faith with a large proportion of the squad that won Telford promotion, Watson has been patient, preferring to use the standard managerial yardstick of not making any assessment until 10 matches have been played.

But he added: "After 10 games there are no excuses. We need to bring a couple of players in and get some of these out."