Roca horror show as Bluebirds crash out of FA Cup

Source: North West Evening Mail

DARREN Sheridan blasted his team’s dreadful display after they crashed out of the FA Cup against lower-league FC United of Manchester.

The 42-year-old player/joint-manager saw his side go down 1-0 in front of a crowd of 3,200-plus at Gigg Lane.

In losing to a side who ply their trade two divisions below them, the Bluebirds blew the chance of £12,500 in prize money and a first round trip to League One Rochdale.

The only goal of the game came 12 minutes from time through Carlos Roca, who instantly wrote his name into the hall of fame at FC United – the club formed five years ago by Manchester United fans angry at the Glazers’ takeover at Old Trafford.

Barrow, who reside in the Blue Square Bet Premier relegation zone, have now failed to win any of their last eight games in league and cup.

Sheridan said: “It was not good enough all over the park, myself included.

“Our movement, our endeavour, there was nothing there today. The lads were poor.

“We knew what we were in for coming here, with a big crowd, and them really up for it. We had to match them but we didn’t do that. They deserved it. They were the better side.

“I know I said the same after last Saturday’s loss at Cambridge, but again I feel for the fans who have come down in their numbers to support us and then watch a display like that.

“We just weren’t at the races today and it’s very disappointing. They were the better side all over the park.

“We had a meeting with all the players yesterday. We discussed the season so far and said we need to get our fingers out and show more fight.

“I thought that would have cleared the air, that we’d come here, get a good result in the cup and then take that confidence into the league. It must have gone in one ear and out of the other.”

For the first time in their tenure, the pressure is now on Sheridan and fellow joint-manager Dave Bayliss.

Asked if he and Bayliss were the right men to turn round the FA Trophy winners’ current slump, Sheridan said: “Definitely so. Me and Dave will talk about the players who we think might not be good enough.

“Every time we play a side around us in the league or below us, we don’t raise our game. Then we play one of the big sides and they don’t look like the same lads. We’re not showing it week-in, week-out. We need to do something about it, and do so quick.”

First published at 13:06, Monday, 25 October 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk