John Jones believes Bangor Amateurs still have time to make something of their season as he pleaded with his players to show more commitment to the cause.
Jones is far from the first manager who, talking to Match On Tuesday this season, has questioned the desire of Amateur League players these days, citing his inability to pick the same squad two weeks in a row due to cry-offs.
It’s a recurring theme across the board, and particularly frustrating for Jones who he is adamant that, with the right attitude, he has the makings of a really good team at Clandeboye Park.
There are four challengers in the division, and while the Ams won’t be in the conversation this year, results against the contenders suggest they aren’t far off, with Aquinas requiring penalties to see them off in the Border cup, while they lost out by the odd goal to league leaders Rosemount and drew with both Mossley and Dunmurry Young Men.
Finding the net hasn’t been a problem for his side, with his four strikers Andy McIntyre, Dwayne Beattie, Dean Corbett and new signing Michael Connolly all among the goals.
But keeping them out has, evidenced in their last outing two weekends ago when they came away with nothing at home to St Luke’s despite scoring four.
It’s been that kind of season for the Ams, with Jones just hoping to see a more settled, more consistent team over the second half of the season.
“I’d say we’re about three players off challenging,” said the former 18th Newtownabbey and Bryansburn boss.
“We’re scoring plenty but we’re leaking them as well. We are conceding stupid goals, no one has to score worldies against us, hitting them from 25 yards, they are all stupid goals, a ball over the top and we’re just not reacting quick enough.
“And that comes because we are chopping and changing every single week.
“But we still have 15 or 16 games to go so there is still loads and loads to play for.
“We’ve played Mossley twice, Dunmurry Young Men are there, Rosemount are a good side, they beat us by the odd goal, but I think Aquinas will win it, we’ve only played them in the cup.
“But we’ll have a big say in who goes up.”
