Nairn County manager says ‘The buck stops with me’ as winless run continues after team thrashed at Lossiemouth
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RONNIE Sharp admits pressure is growing on his managerial position at Nairn County with supporters unhappy at early season performances.
The Wee County manager gave a characteristically honest assessment of his side’s poor start to the season, admitting the buck stops with him after three draws and four defeats in the first seven games.
Saturday’s 5–1 beating at Lossiemouth showcased recent failings, with costly mistakes and a sixth penalty award against them in four games.
Sharp, who began a second stint in charge at Station Park in July 2016, has guided County through rough spells before and hinted at possible squad changes afoot.
But he didn’t hide from the gravity of his own situation when asked about pressures at the club.
“I have to turn it around quickly, I know that,” he said.
“I’m not relying on the board to give me time. I have to do it quickly, myself, and I’m possibly going to have to make some tough decisions with some of the players in the next week or two.
“If I’m not getting what I want out of them, then I have to use other players. The buck stops with me.
“There’s pressure on me, pressure on everyone – the board as well.
“The supporters aren’t happy. If you’re paying money to come and watch, you’re not going to be happy.
“I’m not happy and, hopefully, the players are not happy with what’s going on.”
Nairn’s confidence has clearly been knocked by heavy defeats, including a 5-0 beating by Forres Mechanics, while also losing to high calibre opposition in Fraserburgh and Formartine.
Saturday’s low was particularly hard to stomach for Sharp and his coaching team.
“Probably for 30 minutes we did okay, then we made mistakes. We lost a set play goal from a throw-in and gave away a penalty in the final minute of the first half,” he said.
“We’re 2–0 down, chasing the game, but got it back to 2–1 and I thought we were well in the game. Then we gave away another penalty.
“It is just errors, again and again, that are giving us all the problems.
“It is six penalties against us in four games. We’re virtually having to score two goals a game just to get a draw.
“We can’t keep doing this. It is a major issue at the moment. We have problems.
“Some of the games we’ve played really well in, some not so well. Decision-making in games is a problem at the moment, but it is up to us to sort it out
“As I say, the buck stops with me. I have to sort it out. I will maybe have to put my trust in some different players.”
Recruitment is tricky for Highland clubs without plenty of cash to spare, but Sharp hinted he had irons in the fire.
“We’re working on a couple of things to try to get extra bodies in,” he said. “We can’t just keep doing the same thing, over and over, hoping for a different result.”
