Joshua: “We Must Stick Together”

Valley boss Grant Joshua admitted his frustration after Rugby Town suffered back-to-back defeats over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Rugby lost away at Anstey Nomads on Saturday before a flat defeat against Shepshed Dynamo on Monday at Butlin Road.

Joshua, who has overseen a major squad rebuild this summer, stressed the importance of patience and unity despite the tough start: "I said in my programme notes against Corby, the culture we’re trying to implement is that when the tree starts to shake in the difficult times, everybody stays together.

"It’s been a highly disappointing weekend for us. We’ve played five league games and it’s a poor start – but if it’s the same after 25, then that’s the time to panic.

"That time isn’t now. We’re not the only ones who’ve had a below-par start, and that’s all it is – a start.”

The manager admitted that both integrating his new-look squad and cutting out costly mistakes remain the key challenges: “Trying to integrate 20 new players is a tricky issue to navigate and we haven't done that yet.

"On top of that, our lads aren't playing to the level they need to win games at this level, so you’re always searching for solutions.

"We’re coming out the wrong side of tight games because individual errors are costing us and we’re not taking chances.

"We can't concede three penalties in as many games and hope to get anything. The penalties we’re conceding are at critical times – 0-0 against Corby, 1-0 up at Anstey and 0-0 again on Monday – and it's cost us ultimately.”

Joshua admitted Monday’s performance against Shepshed was particularly disappointing. "The game on Monday, after watching it back on Tuesday morning, was an appalling game of football to be honest – it didn’t look like a Step Four game at all.

"We have an obligation to our supporters to try to win every game, especially at home, and yesterday we flattered to deceive. We wasted 90 minutes to get a result.

"I apologise to the supporters for that showing – it lacked energy and quality from front to back, and that’s not how my teams play.”

Looking ahead, Joshua confirmed that reinforcements may be brought in to help lift the squad. "We’re looking at a few additions over the next couple of days to boost the squad, because they need lifting.

"A big week of training will take place as we prep for Belper on Saturday.”