WE’RE not even two weeks into the new season and already Worcester City have had three players sent off.
By anyone’s standard, that’s some going.
They have played four games in Vanarama National League North and only once have they finished with 11 players.
On two occasions, the Blue and Whites didn’t even make it to half- time with their full complement of players.
It should go without saying that Worcester will struggle in this campaign if they keep this level of indiscipline up but I’ll make the point any way.
It’s not just red cards like the one dished out to forward Ashley Vincent at the weekend for fighting that need to be eradicated by City immediately.
It’s avoidable bookings for need - less clumsy challenges or petty misdemeanours like kicking the ball away that will prove costly in the long run.
Already City have three players facing suspension, something they can ill afford at any stage of the season, let alone in this the first month when they are trying to lay a foundation from which to build a successful structure.
City’s squad is larger than last season but there isn’t a never end - ing list of players to call on.
I expect Worcester to do well this term and, despite the flurry of red cards, I stand by that.
There have still been plenty of positive signs from the team so far, not least in the 2-1 victory over Lowestoft Town at Aggborough last Saturday.
But, as a visibly frustrated joint manager Carl Heeley said after Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at Solihull Moors, it would be nice to see what they are capable of with 11 men on the pitch.
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