‘Most difficult period of my career’ - Andy Whing responds to criticism after seventh Brackley Town defeat in a row
Brackley Town manager Andy Whing has taken accountability for his side’s seven successive defeats ahead of this Tuesday’s clash with former club Solihull Moors.
The Saints remain precariously close to the National League relegation zone, now two points above fellow strugglers Morecambe, Braintree Town and Gateshead after they all drew their matches.
The St James Park faithful couldn’t believe their eyes as Brackley were torn to shreds by Woking on Saturday, in a bonkers 11-minute spell in which the hosts scored all four of their goals in a 4-1 victory.
Before the loss to Woking, Brackley had been beaten by Eastleigh, Boreham Wood, Rochdale, Altrincham, Wealdstone and Southend United.
With games every Saturday and Tuesday and with only one training session per week, it’s been an absolutely brutal month for the part-time Brackley.
Whing cannot think of another moment in his career - as a player or manager - that has been quite as tricky as this one, but he’s determined to put things right.
“It's probably been the hardest, most difficult period of my career. Just because I take it personally,” Whing admitted to this newspaper.
“I take it to heart. I'm desperate to do well for really, really good people. Obviously, I'm letting those people down.
“I'm letting the fans down with results. That weighs really, really heavily on me. All we can do is keep working harder.”
The Saints are far from down and out in the National League relegation battle, with another nine fixtures to go until the season’s conclusion. Brackley also have a game in hand on two of the four teams below them.
Whing, hopeful of a turnaround, is trying to increase the contact time with his players, starting with an extra session on Monday evening. Usually, it’s just Thursdays and matchdays that the group meet.
“I'm so desperate to do well here. I think because the board and everyone here has been absolutely fantastic, with me especially, and the lads as well.
“They've been massively behind us, so I'm just desperate to do well. I don't want to let people down. I don't want to let the fans down.”