Lee Bradbury threatens lacklustre Hawks with the axe

The Hawks manager witnessed another poor performance in the 4-1 defeat at Margate.

The loss stretched his side’s winless run to eight games.

A number of players are letting the manager down and he is seriously considering major changes for tonight’s trip to Oxford City (7.45pm).

The hosts are second in National League South – with only one defeat so far this season.

That loss came at the hands of the Hawks at Westleigh Park, so the home side will be doubly determined to get their revenge.

It is a game in which Bradbury’s troops will need to show some resilience and character.

Apart from the two FA Cup games against Cheltenham Town, those qualities have been in short supply.

‘Eight league games without a win is nowhere near good enough and hard to take,’ said Bradbury.

‘Some of the players at the moment are not pulling their weight.

‘There are a number of individuals letting us down.

‘I may have to look at letting a couple of players go and bringing in some fresh faces.

‘My job as manager is to do whatever it takes to win football matches.

‘We have not been tight enough at the back or ruthless enough in the final third.

‘It is not an enjoyable experience at the moment.

‘In too many games this season we have not competed for long enough.’

Bradbury was left scratching his head at Margate as his team folded in 10 disastrous second-half minutes.

In the first half, the Hawks had been the better team but individual mistakes and poor defending left them chasing the game.

‘It was 10 minutes of madness that cost us,’ said Bradbury.

‘We have to be able to stay in games longer.

‘I take great pride in my job and I need players out there who are willing to fight when things go against us.

‘We are not getting that and it is costing us.’

Having a number of defenders missing through injury continues to hamper Bradbury’s cause.

Pompey loanee Calvin Davies and central defender Dan Strugnell were both injured at Margate, while full-back Dan Blanchett was ill.

Bradbury felt AFC Bournemouth loanee Jake McCarthy had a solid debut under the circumstances.

Options are limited for change but the boss could give Jake Thomson a rare start in midfield.

‘This is our worst run since I have been at the club,’ said Bradbury.

‘We have the quality in the squad but they have to be more accountable.’

HAWKS: Young, Medway, Cummings, McCarthy, Dutton, Cummings, Stock, Thomson, Clifton, Azeez, Paterson, Blanchett, Morgan, Swallow, Hayter, Gale, Monthe