TIVERTON Town manager John Clarkson says the next two games will define the club's season after watching his team put in an embarrassing display against Bishops Cleeve on Saturday.
Tivvy were beaten 3-0 at Kayte Lane against a side struggling at the wrong end of the table and with winnable games coming up at home to Bridgwater, on Tuesday, and away at Evesham United on Saturday, Clarkson believes his team are entering a crucial stage of their promotion campaign.
"It was probably the worst display I have seen in six or seven years, it was that bad," said Clarkson. "We just didn't turn up and when we did turn up we were sluggish, tired, second to the ball all over the park and defensively we were a disaster.
"Maybe it was a hangover from the two Weston ties, but the two games we have got coming up on Tuesday and Saturday that define our season, in my opinion.
"It will either be in contention for promotion or we will be a mid-table team. It is a long season, but right now we need to pick ourselves up and play how we can play.
"It is all being well having a good cup run, but that has gone, it's finished.
"You have to play with some front, but to be honest on Saturday it was embarrassing."
Tivvy fell behind in the 16th minute of the match as Louis Binns crossed for Joe Truley to head home.
Turley then doubled the advantage as he profited on more hesitant defending from the visitors before half-time.
After the break their was no improvement from the visitors and it was no surprise to see them score from a corner with 14 minutes remaining. Tivvy lost midfielder Shane Krac through injury early in the first half, which didn't help things, buit Clarkson wasn't making any excuses for the loss.
Krac he should be back in contention for Tuesday night's game at Ladysmead, but there are one or two other players whose position in the side are in doubt.
"I think Krac be fine for Tuesday," said Clarkson.
"He is a player who gives is all, the trouble we have is that there were one or two players on that park on Saturday who didn't give us anything.
"I have no excuses, we were just apathetic, lethargic, you name it. We thought just turn up there and roll this team over and to be honest we got bullied all over the Park, by a young hungry team.
"I can keep giving people chances. You get one or two chances and they after that, that's it. It might be time for fresh faces.
"I have some good lads sitting on the bench and maybe it is there time to come in."
