Mayo irate at unconcerned team-mates

By Nathan Jackson
December 29 2005

Following last night's defeat at Grimsby, Lincoln born Paul Mayo has hit out at several of his unbothered team-mates. Mayo is the only Lincoln born player in the squad at the minute and he's starting to get really frustrated with the half hearted efforts of several other members of the team.

In recent months, several players haven't appeared the have made any effort in certain matches, most notably the games at Milton Keynes, Cheltenham and last night's game against Grimsby. Many Imps fans have critisised specific players over recent months for a distinct lack of effort and Mayo has been the first to talk about it in an interview with the Echo.

"It was not good enough and a few of the players need to have a good look at themselves this morning, I'm not going to name names because that is not my style, but they know who they are. There were a few words said in the dressing room and that will remain private. But I want to be successful and, at the minute, there are players in the team who don't appear to be bothered about the results."

Mayo, along with Dean Keates appear to be the only 2 who are constantly trying 100% to do everything possible to win, however, at least 3 of their so called team-mates aren't putting the effort in, which could lead to a lot of exits when the transfer window opens on Monday, however, Mayo is far from happy and unlike the rest of the players, he is a lifelong Lincoln fan and is obviously feeling the pain a lot more than anyone else.

"They (the accused players) go home after a defeat like last night's and don't really think about it. You have to question the desire of some of them because it seems they haven't got the heart to succeed. Being a professional, it hurts me to see it - even more so because I'm a local lad and City are my hometown team. It needs to be said because it can't continue and I'm sure the gaffer won't want to witness another display like that. All I can say to the fans is I am sorry. They stayed with us and chanted to the end on a bitterly cold night - and they deserved so much better than what we served up. OK, the pitch was bad, but that is no excuse because it was the same for both teams. To lose a derby is bad enough, but the manner in which we were beaten was completely unacceptable.

It was the first time the Imps had a lost a Lincolnshire derby since the defeat to Scunthorpe in August 2004 and that in itself, was the first since that awful day in Boston in August 2002 and if the Imps really do want that playoff place they all keep talking about in these interviews, then the players that Mayo is refering to, had better start showing some effort otherwise we'll be lucky to finish in the top half.