Parker demands more passion

PLAYING at the same time as England's World Cup qualifier against Wales at Old Trafford, one former England defender will be looking for a victory to climb off the bottom of the Nationwide South table, writes Stephen McCartney.

40-year-old Welling United manager Paul Parker will be hoping it's his lucky thirteenth league game of the season with victory over the full-time Essex outfit.

And the former Manchester United star is demanding more passion from his players - who have only collected two wins and eight points in the league campaign so far and are a point behind St Albans City.

Parker admitted: "I haven't got the right players to compete in this league.

"However, I am trying to amend that by finding the right players for this league."

With any team at the foot of the table, Parker's future at the club remains uncertain.

"Obviously it's difficult with the supporters as they want their team to do well, and their view is to bring someone else in to see if we can improve."

Since the introduction of the Nationwide South below the Nationwide Conference, Parker has discovered players are asking for more money from the club's in the new division and a drop in standard.

"The hardest thing now is to get in the right players," he said.

"It's difficult as the teams in the Ryman Premier are chasing the same players as the Conference South.

"We are now in the same boat looking for the same players.  However, those players are now a little bit expensive from what I am used to.

"Players are now coveted - and players look to nick some more money as more local clubs want (to sign) them."

Parker, however, is demanding more passion from his players and look to bounce back from last Saturday's 4-1 FA Cup exit at Ryman Premier Division side Slough Town.

"I am not going to be happy with the squad as I'm not winning games.

"I don't believe the desire and work ethic, that makes a difference in this league, is there.

"We do know a lot of these teams we have played would have struggled in the Dr Martens Premier last season," the former Chelmsford City manager insisted.

"The teams, however, have showed a lot of desire and passion and that's what's costing us.

"We haven't had eleven players on the same field showing that passion."

Parker has heard negative jibes from supporters regarding his future, but he wants the fans to support him and the team in what is a hard month for the Park View Road club.

"We want to see a vast improvement in work ethic as it's a big game against a side doing reasonably well.

"The majority of games this month are big so if the players don't lift themselves now, there is no hope!"

Speaking about his own future with the Wings, Parker added: "As long as I am wanted to manage Welling United Football Club I will stay there, but to be honest if I am hindering the club going forward, maybe I will have to consider leaving the club."

For those fans who are traveling to Bridge Road and avoiding the live televised international, Parker said: "I can't thank them any more because they aren't getting the results and performances they deserve."

Grays Athletic v Welling United
Nationwide South
Saturday 9 October 2004
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Recreation Ground, Bridge Road, Grays, Essex RM17 6BZ