Johnson defiant despite derby mauling
by Matt Pitman

Monday 27th December 2004

Steve Johnson still insists Dorchester's players aren't good enough for the Terras despite watching Matt Groves fire a hat-trick at the Avenue Stadium yesterday.

He told Echosport: "I said what I said about Dorchester's players and I certainly don't regret it, regardless of Matt Groves' hat-trick today.

"I guess when you say things like that it will always came back to haunt you one day and that has been the case here.

"I stick by what I said originally, but even so I'm big enough to hold me hands up to Groves and say well done to the lad.

"He played well, hit us where it hurts and dserves a lot of credit and I told him so at the end of the game."

Johnson, who has shipped out a host of players since arriving at the Wessex Stadium in November, threatened to wield the axe again in the wake of yesterday's 4-1 derby hammering.

"I've got rid of eight players since I arrived and if I need to get rid of another eight before I get it right than so be it," he said.

"The club hasn't got the time to slowly build a squad and I certainly haven't got that luxury.

"And I know if that happens, I'll be out of the door so we have to get it right and quick.

"I need players who are going to give everything to the cause week in and week out and that is clearly not the case at the moment."

Johnson was 'embarrassed' by his team's showing as they fell apart following Lee Phillips' equaliser mid-way through the opening period.

"We were outbattled, outfought and no-one seemed to play with any spine," he said. "We looked like a side who had just been thrown together.

"It is the first time in my football career I've ever been involved with a side who have not done enough physically.

"There was no passion and we had no leaders out there, which considering it was a local derby is unforgivable.

"When Lee Phillips equalised I thought that might act as a catalyst for us to go on and take the game by the scruff of the neck. But instead we looked tired and, to their credit, Dorchester outplayed us and in the end fully deserved the victory."

Johnson plans to haul his squad in for extra training before the return clash on New Year's Day.

"I had planned to give the players the week off over Christmas," he said.

"But there is now ay that is happening now.

"That performance was way below the standards we have set and we need to put a lot of work in on the training pitch to get things right for New Year's Day."

Meanwhile Johnson fielded latest signing Robert Traynor as a second half substitute at the Avenue Stadium.

The 20-year-old has joined on a month's loan from Nationwide Conference outfit Crawley Town.

"Robert's a good signing and could well get his chance on Saturday," Johnson added.