Wilkes: We need to step up defence

Sep 11 2008 By Dave Bettley

RUNCORN Linnets boss Steve Wilkes admits he needs to plug a leaking defence, which has conceded 11 times in the last three games.

But Wilkes was just as unhappy with the officiating as he was with his side’s defending in Tuesday’s 4-0 loss at Newcastle Town.

The manager criticised the referee’s failure to send off home striker Andy Kinsey for allegedly kicking stand-in captain Robbie Moore off the ball in apparent retaliation. Instead, both players were booked.

Wilkes revealed the referee told him Moore was cautioned because ‘the number nine had blood in his mouth’ – the latter insisting this had been caused by an earlier clash of heads – and Kinsey for a ‘late tackle’.

It was already 3-0 and the pair involved in the incident were promptly withdrawn by their respective benches.

But Linnets were also furious at the home side’s second and third goals.

These followed Runcorn being penalised for what they felt had been a clean tackle by Moore and keeper Robbie Holcroft having the ball knocked from his hand as he tried to throw out.

Wilkes had ‘no excuses’ but believed tiredness was a factor after Sunday’s 4-3 extra-time victory over former club Padiham in the FA Vase.

Linnets let in three in the last half-hour with free-running wide men Richard Minor (2) and Jordan Johnson on target along with Kinsey.

Wilkes said: "We have conceded five versus Colne, four against Curzon Ashton, three against Padiham and now four to Newcastle.

"We know we’ve got to address that. But it is not just down to the defence.

"In four of the last five games, we have had to change the back four around and we do look like we are going to get cut open.

"We have got to start defending better as a unit and track runners from the middle of the park."

Runcorn adopted four different central defensive partnerships over 90 minutes at Lyme Valley Parkway Stadium, where Thomas Boden had to go off with cramp in a calf.

Linnets were missing six players through suspension, injury or unavailability and wideman Lee Morris needed replacing because of an ankle knock.

Liam Page, an ex-Stoke City and TNS midfielder/striker, made his debut as a sub after figuring in pre-season but then injuring a hamstring in training.

Wilkes, who has seen midfieldman Joe McKane quit the club, hopes for Saturday’s visit of Ramsbottom to have Michael Young and Dave Thompson back after midweek working commitments. But Holcroft serves a one-match ban.

Linnets host Atherton Collieries on Tuesday.