Comrades coach Garratt blasts players for ‘unacceptable’ performance against Broxbourne

Speaking about Tuesday’s cup win, Garratt said: “The 10-1 win over Ampthill in the cup was fantastic, everything that could have gone right went right.

“We were ruthless and efficient from the start, and it was an all-round excellent performance. I couldn’t find fault at all in the players’ application and desire.”

However, the Comrades coach was less than impressed by Saturday’s shambolic display, lambasting the side for their below-par performance.

“Saturday’s game could not have been any different if you tried,” said Garratt. “The 6-2 loss away to Broxbourne was probably the worst performance I’ve been involved with at Berkhamsted.

“We again had players pulling out through injury and two very important players took themselves out of it with personal events which is always disappointing, but even more so when you’re on the back of a hammering like that.

“The players selected were more than good enough to get a result but simply didn’t turn up; it’s difficult to point fingers when so many players are unavailable for reasons that could be avoided.

“We were second to every ball, woeful defending led to some terrible goals being conceded, and our front players were pretty much anonymous throughout.

“We didn’t pass the ball, didn’t compete and simply looked like the majority were just not up for it.

“It’s one of those performances that sometimes is best to draw a line under and forget about as it was a million miles away from what we expect from this group this year.

“On one hand at this level we as managers need to understand that you get injuries and players having a personal life outside of football and that’s fine but it’s so important that they understand they simply can’t get away with not playing one week then being available the next and expect to perform how they need to.

“It’s just unacceptable, if we want to finish the season strong and in contention for silverware, for the players to be doing what they are at the minute.”

Garratt, though, insists that his players will produce a response in their Boxing Day derby with Dacroum rivals Tring Athletic.

“It’s a huge wake up call and I know that the guys want to put things right in our next game against Tring,” he added.

“That game couldn’t come round soon enough for us. The boys are a great bunch with fantastic ability and I know they are all understandably annoyed with themselves and desperate to get back on the pitch.”