Woking players blame fans for defeat

Nov 11 2009 By Paul Warburton, Surrey Herald

WOKING players blamed the fans for Tuesday's abject 1-0 home defeat to St Albans.

The sorry reverse was Cards' third defeat at Kingfield in a campaign where they've scored just three league goals in seven attempts - and one of those a penalty.

After the high of a close FA Cup clash with League One Swindon, where they lost 1-0 on Saturday, came a game that had supporters up in arms about the quality on display against the lowly Herts outfit.

Boss Graham Baker revealed the atmosphere from the 1,008 paying customers had affected the team.

He said: "They felt the whole atmosphere was flat. We have got a problem at home generating the same atmosphere as we have away. If you're having a bad time, a roar or a spark from the crowd can help."

In fairness, the manager was having none of it. And reckoned his shot-shy troops had to generate their own momentum - although it will be a long while before Cards fans are treated to the sight of central defender Tom Hutchinson as an out-and-out striker again.

Baker used the game as an experiment for a formation that switched from 4-4-2 to 3-4-3 after 15 minutes, with Hutchinson sent forward to add height to the attack.

The lack of a single shot on target all night was evidence enough for the manager that it didn't work.

He added: "It wasn't desperation putting Tommy Hutch up there. We knew we were going to change formation - we'd planned and talked about it earlier. It gave me a chance to see how we can be effective with a bit more aerial power. But doing it again? Probably not in the future."

Wilf Domoraud will not be coming back to Woking to cure home ills - and Baker blames bad influences whispering in the ear of the French striker for his second departure in seven months.

Last season's top scorer returned to Kingfield six weeks ago on non-contract terms, having failed to find a club during the summer.

But after the 3-1 defeat to Bromley on October 17, he texted the manager saying he had to return to France to deal with a serious family problem.

It now appears Domoraud has been searching for another club.

The manager said: "Who knows who's been talking to him and telling him this and that? He's young and maybe a little naïve, but the rumour that he's joining Crawley Town, instead? I'll run naked around Guildford if that happens."