ADAM Murray admits ‘it’s time for action’ at Kidderminster Harriers following defeat at struggling Peterborough Sports.
Harriers lost for just the second time in the league this season at Lincoln Road as former Kidderminster boss Phil Brown claimed a 2-1 win against his old side.
And Murray wants his players to start expressing themselves on the pitch and begin to play without any fear.
Murray said: “It’s a real low point after the two weeks we’ve had on the training ground.
“The positivity, the standards, the levels we’ve set over the last two weeks, for us to produce what we did bewilders me.
“I’ve got a gut feeling that for some reason the team is playing with chains on.
“There’s such a fear to make a mistake, people are scared to make a mistake, people are scared to express themselves.
“There’s such a fear in there to take from the training ground and put it on to a matchday when the pressure’s on.
“We’re playing with way too much anxiety at the moment. When you’ve got that fear and anxiety it comes across spineless.
“It comes across that people don’t care and people aren’t running as hard and I know that’s not true.
“That’s the bit we’ve got to change and free up. They’re not expressing themselves. It’s time for action.”
Harriers failed to capitalise on Emeka Obi’s opener as Max Booth drew the home side level before Marcel Oakley completed the turnaround after the break.
And Murray wants his players to embrace the pressure that comes with playing for a club with the reputation of Harriers.
Murray added: “There’s a perception at this level of the size of the club and that carries a weight.
“It carries weight with the supporters and players and the players have to hold that.
“That’s the bit we have to get better at. We’re a young group but the players have to understand this is what it’s about.
“Whether it’s at National League North level or higher up the leagues, it’s about playing under pressure, it’s why you want to be a professional footballer.
“We’re playing with way too much anxiety at the moment.”
Kidderminster are next in action against Radcliffe on Saturday, October 11 with kick-off at 3pm at Aggborough.
