Woods' baptism of fire

By sblow

NEIL Woods' first game in charge of Grimsby Town full time ended in defeat last night with the former striker admitting his side were a "million miles" away from what he expects.

Bradford City were comfortable 3-0 winners at Blundell Park, with goals from Simon Whaley, Steve Williams and James Hanson condemning the Mariners to their sixth home defeat in the league this season.

Woods, named the new manager on Monday after six games in caretaker charge, says the Bantams fully deserved the three points.

He said: "It was a fair result.

"In the first half Bradford played a slightly different system and they caused us problems. We couldn't get the ball in midfield.

"We changed it at half-time and could have got back into it within five minutes of the second half quite easily.

"After that I think they showed a little bit more heart, quality and organisation than us.

"We had some chances and you can look at it as good goalkeeping or poor finishing or both.

"Saturday's performance against Lincoln City can't be the standard we produce when we are playing well. If that is as good as they play when playing their best, it isn't good enough.

"I am honest and I want to make sure they don't think I am going to be an easy touch.

"That was a million miles away from what I expect them to play. The Lincoln game I would class as an average performance, so the standards they produced last night is a long way from what I expect individually and collectively.

"Bradford were stronger in every department on the pitch and that is an honest reflection and a disappointing one."

Under Woods Town have yet to win a game, but improvements have been noted in recent performances, with back-to-back 0-0 draws before last night's game.

However, after keeping his players in the dressing room for a long time after the game, they are under no illusions as to the kind of performances he expects.

Woods is trying to bring in more loan signings before Thursday's deadline, in a bid to improve results.

He said: "We have got to sign people who can consistently deliver at the right level

"I've got to work with them and bring people in that can perform at the level we expect.

"We are trying to bring players in before the deadline.

"I am quite sensible in the way I reflect on games, but anyone will tell you that yes we had some chances, and you can argue their goals were long-range shots, but overall we were at home and we were not in control of the game.

"I am extremely disappointed but my expectations and hopes remain the same as when I took over.

"We are where we are because we are not performing good enough. There is a job that we have to do.

"We need to have more heart. You can start looking for it individually and if you find people haven't got it they don't play, it is as simple as that."