By Ieuan Miles
USW men’s football 1sts boss Adrian Harvey questioned the desire of his players after a 3-1 defeat to Hartpury at the Sport Park left them staring at relegation from the BUCS Premier South.
Despite a superb first-half equaliser from Niro Gowran, USW were sunk by the team they beat in the BUCS final in 2019.
Harvey said: “I see the boys train with the application and energy that they put in at 6:30 in the morning on Monday and Friday and it just doesn’t transfer to games.
“I question how many of them care enough on a match-day. I certainly question the desire, application and energy on match-day.”
Harvey pointed to a lack of fitness training as an underlying reason for this side’s problems.
“The nature of the beast with these boys is that a lot of them have games on a Saturday. We have to manage their load on Friday and Monday,” he added.
Pic: Ben Thomas
“We haven’t got the capability to get them fitter because we can’t do intensive training with them because a lot of them play on a Saturday.”
USW managed to keep the game in their sights for long spells, but earned scant reward.
“We wanted to test their back line, get our front four in the game quicker and more often,” said Harvey,
“It seemed a game of transitions really, about who competed for the first and second ball, a bit old school.”
“I’d still say Hartpury consistently won the first and second balls throughout the game.”
Harvey did not excuse himself from scrutiny, as well as criticising his players.
He said: “Whether it’s for Wales or USW I always put onus on myself first, what can I do better?
“But at some point there’s got to be accountability from the lads – and they’re going to have to show that to stay in the league.
“We have to win the last three games.”