Fisher boss Gary Abbott set to weild the axe: We just want effort. Show us that you want to be here!

FISHER manager Gary Abbott says he will wield the axe in a couple of weeks’ time - starting witth players' who fail to turn on to training on time.

Fisher have failed to win a league game on their brand new artificial pitch at St Paul’s and are rooted to the foot of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division with one win, four draws and 12 defeats in the league.

Abbott took charge of the club in the summer and has suffered 13 defeats in his 20 games in charge of the Rotherhithe based outfit.

He held a team meeting inside the home dressing room after last night’s 4-3 home defeat to Sheppey United in the Macron Southern Counties East Football League Challenge Cup Second Round.  The meeting finished at 22:23 and Abbott even threatened to walk when quizzed during the post-match press conference.

He said: “It is a very tough job and I don’t want to make excuses.  I’ve even said to the chairman, if you’re not happy with results, get rid of me, get rid of me. If that’s what you feel is right for the club. 

“I don’t think it is.  I suppose any manager will say that.  I just think clubs have got to have a bit of belief in someone and I really feel I’m the right person to do that.  If things change on the budget side it would be nice but at the minute it ain’t and we crack on and get on with it. It’s about having that little bit of quality and need to turn it around.”

Fisher welcome league leaders Ashford United to St Paul’s on Saturday and Abbott demands a reaction.

“My thoughts are, I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“We got a lot of positives out of last night. I hope they don’t take us too lightly and come down here and think they’re going to smash us because they’ve done that to a lot of teams this year, but I think we’ll try to take the game to them, like we did against Sheppey and we do every game.

“We just need to tighten up the other end and that’s for me to sort out - and that’s what I will sort out.”

Fisher have scored 22 goals in the league but have leaked 48 during their 17 games – they are entertaining to watch but carry on losing games then they will find themselves playing in the First Division next season.

“Of course, I’d like to win 1-0 but I’d take a draw right now to be honest with you,” added Abbott, one of the most prolific non-league strikers during his playing days.

“We need to get out of that losing habit and try to pick something up.  Of course, I’d love three points but it won’t be for the lack of trying.”

Things aren’t going to plan since the club’s long-awaited return to Rotherhithe.

“We’ve won two cup games here, we need to get that first win,” admitted Abbott.

“At the beginning of the season you want to say ‘it’s a fortress here’. When you see the facilities we’ve got, people go ‘we can play on that’, come here so straight away I think we’re under pressure.

“It’s been a tough job. I don’t want to make any excuses. We’ve got no budget, we’ve got a young squad and I can’t bring no players in.

“I’ve got people phoning me and saying ‘they’re ill and they’ve got to work.’  I had five players out last night but the ones that have played have proved they can play in this level against a good side.   I think Sheppey are one of the best sides we’ve played and I know they’ll be up there and there abouts and we’re going to theirs in a couple of weeks’ time.”

By the time that Abbott takes Fisher to Holm Park for the third meeting between the two clubs on 3 December, it could well be a new look Fisher team.

“We just want effort,” said Abbott.  “Show us that you want to be here. I want you to turn up to training wanting to come and train on this lovely pitch with one of the best coaches in the league but at the minute I’m not getting that!

“I can’t have players walking in at ten-to-eight and they don’t even rush in! As a youngster I would never dream of doing that! Whatever team I played for, I wanted to get there early and get on the pitch and sort myself out.

“I can’t make them do that physically. We train at half-seven. They moan about getting here late, we’ll leave earlier!  Unless you’re working until seven, then you’ve got a problem and I’m not having that!

“Mention no names. I’m watching someone walk in at ten-to-eight and we’re supposed to start at half-seven and I’m watching him through the door and he’s sitting there on his phone.

“That’s not happening with me now!

“I’ve got so many emails on my phone that players want to come down here. It’s a massive club. I’m privileged to be manager and I hope it continues and I hope they stick with me. I’ve told them how hard it is and every week I’ve got players missing and I’ve got to change my whole team around.

“I knew at this level that’s what you’re going to get. It’s up to me to change it round and believe me I will change it around in the next couple of weeks. If it means getting rid of five or six players’ then I will do that. I’ve not got a problem with that.”

Visit Fisher’s website:  www.fisherfc.org

Fisher  v  Ashford United
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 19^th November 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
at St Paul’s Stadium, Salter Road, Rotherhithe, London SE16 5EF