CHORLEY manager Mark Molyneax is looking for a positive response from his players when his old side Trafford visit Victory Park tomorrow.
The Magpies were beaten 4-1 at Kendal last Saturday - a result which pushed them out of the play-off places at the expense of their opponents - and the performance asked serious questions about the defence.
Molyneaux said: "I am just wondering whether to change the back five because they have been poor for the last two games.
"We played well going forward against Kendal but we didn't deal with anything they threw at us.
"The keeper dropped the first one, we didn't deal with a throw in for the second and the third was a long punt up field.
"There are lads waiting patiently in the wings so it is not fair to keep perservering with players that aren't producing."
Molyneaux's stern words are likely to ruffle a few feathers around Victory Park as all five defenders are in danger of the chop.
Goalkeeper Lee Bracey, who joined Chorley in a high-profile £4,000 move from Ossett Town in November, could be replaced by the manager himself while the back four of Phil Bayliss, Lee Southwood, Ian Leather and Paul Varley are also under threat.
Lee Molyneux, Billy McCartney and Jamie Bates could earn themselves a recall in their place.
Molyneaux left Trafford for Chorley at the end of last season but said tomorrow's match was just like any other game.
"It doesn't bother me because the manager that took over from me has been sacked now.
"He was saying his side this season was better than the one I had last year but they were bottom of the league so that doesn't say much about his side.
"I just want to see a response from my players after the last two games."
Molyneaux was pleased with the performances of Joe Murray and Darren Emmett against Kendal, especially Emmett who the manager criticised last week.
"He hadn't been performing so it was good to see him respond. He is under pressure now with other people coming through and players we are trying to sign."
Former Liverpool midfielder Mark Brandon, who is 19, is one of young players impressing in the reserves, and former Manchester United trainee Colin Blaine is training with the squad.
Midfielder Bobby Jones has at last made his debut after waiting more than a month for international clearance from the Australian FA, but he will need a couple of weeks before he is 100 per cent match fit."
Molyneaux is also in talks with a Canadian international midfielder who played with Dave Eatock at Newcastle.
Craig Forrest is currently in the UK studying at Salford University and rang Eatock recently in search of a club.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article