York City boss refuses to defend players after Cambridge defeat

10:21am Wednesday 19th November 2008

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YORK City boss Colin Walker admitted there was no defence for his players after a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Cambridge United last night.

A bizarre Ben Purkiss own goal sealed his side’s fate at the Abbey Stadium and the Minstermen have now won three of their last 17 Blue Square Premier fixtures.

Cambridge had only won one of their previous six matches but secured maximum points despite only forcing City ’keeper Michael Ingham into two saves all evening.

A disappointed Walker said: “I can’t defend anybody. I tried to change shape to get them all going, but it was quite difficult.

“I think it’s only the second time this season that I can say it was a poor team performance and the other team were better than us.

“I’m big enough to say that and the players have got to pick themselves up for a tough game against Crawley on Sunday.”

The result will put more pressure on Walker’s position as manager of the club, but the City chief added: “I work as hard as I can and I know it’s my team, so I take the flak. That’s the job I get paid for.

“I have belief in my own and the players’ ability and I have to pick the team and get it ready for Sunday. Hopefully, I will do that and see what happens.”

About Purkiss’ inadvisable attempt at a chested back pass for the crucial own goal, Walker said: “He does that regularly in games and people think it’s brilliant, but we’ve suffered from an individual decision again.

“He should have just headed it clear.”

Veteran striker Bruce Dyer failed to make last night’s squad due to injury, but Walker will hope to have him back in contention for Sunday’s KitKat Crescent clash with Crawley.

He said: “Bruce had a tight hamstring on Sunday morning and he did not play as a precautionary measure.”