Boss wants swift improvements

Having seen his side collect only nine points from the first 21 on offer in 2018/19, Diss Town boss Jason Cook has warned the players that recent performances will not be accepted much longer.

Optimism was rife at Brewers Green Lane ahead of the new Thurlow Nunn League First Division North season getting under way, with Cook having recruited a host of experienced players over the summer.

However, it has not been the start that the manager had hoped for as the new-look Tangerines slipped to their fourth defeat of the season, against neighbouring Debenham LC on Tuesday.

Speaking after that loss, a disappointed Cook said: “I need to see a reaction. I am not going to stand on the touchline for another seven games and watch that week in, week out.

“Collectively we should be doing much better. We have got one of the strongest sides in the division, at least a top-six side, but at the moment we are nowhere near that.

“I cannot put my finger on it because individually we have the players – it is proven, it is on the team sheet.

“We are seven games in now and I am yet to see a decent performance. In truth, we have been lucky to get the points we have.

“It is a results business and there is no hiding from the fact that we signed the players in the summer to get those results. With that comes responsibility and your neck is on the line.

“We cannot use the excuse this year of needing time to gel a side. We have built a side early, but collectively it is not happening.”

Cook is hoping that the return to fitness of Steve Holder will lead to improvements.

The striker has missed Diss’ last two outings, but could return at AFC Sudbury Reserves tomorrow (3pm).

“Steve brings that composure and calmness on the ball,” added Cook.

“I am not using him being injured as an excuse because we have signed good players and should have enough in our locker to do the business without him, but we do look a better side with him in it.”