Andy Graves feels Hucknall Town are a /quite a way off' l despite thumping midweek win

Hucknall Town boss Andy Graves was disappointed with aspects of their 7-3 win at Barrow in midweek. Photo: Rachel Atkins

The Yellow breezed past Barrow Town in the EMCL on Tuesday night as they bounced from an FA Vase exit at the hands of Anstey Nomads.

But Graves was disappointed by the work-rate on display and the sloppiness in defence.

“I know we had to make changes because we had players missing, but I felt we were nowhere near,” he said,

“I wanted to give them a talking to, but we couldn't go into the dressing room because of COVID and had to do the team talk on the pitch, so I had to be a bit more reserved.

“They have set the standards and a benchmark and even at 7-3 we slipped below what we are capable of.

“We just didn’t get going in the FA Vase which was disappointing, but I was actually more disappointed with this 7-3 win than the defeat in the FA Vase.

“The goals we conceded were sloppy and careless and all of our own making.

"We are still quite a way off where we can be, but it is a positive that we still got the win despite that.

“I was a little bit disappointed in the work rate. Players who have got a couple of goals think that's it, but it’s about the work rate in between, other players have created those chances, and you have to do vice versa and work hard to get the ball back and not let them do all the work

t may act as a wake-up call for the players. I have got players I can bring in so they can’t rest on your laurels.”

Graves is now looking for his side to tighten up defensively when they face Ingles away at the weekend.

“I am hoping for a clean sheet,” he added. “I hate to concede and we should have kept a clean sheet against Barrow.

“We need to be tighter and better with possession and have more tempo, but it will come.

“We had to make defensive changes in the week, but I wouldn't necessarily blame the defenders - it’s a team responsibility.

“It's about defending from the front as a team - they get the plaudits for scoring but they have to help at the back as well.

“We dominated most of the game at Ingles last year, but got undone by a late goal so we know we will have to be focused.”