Wisbech Town manager Leon Mettam calls for unity after Fenmen are cheered off the pitch despite home defeat

Wisbech Town 0, Anstey Nomads 3

United Counties League Premier Division North

Wisbech Town manager Leon Mettam has called for everyone around the club to pull in the same direction as he feels positive times are on the horizon.

Mettam has been upset by negative comments about the club on social media and was speaking after his depleted side were cheered off the pitch, despite a 3-0 defeat on Saturday afternoon.

He said: "I have seen some comments in the week about negativity around the club. What I would say to those people is, at the start of the season when I took the job, we nearly didn't have a Wisbech Town.

"The things we are trying to do and implement as a club are positive. We are trying to build a team that is competing and I said it would take time and it is taking time.

"Wisbech Town will rise again, hopefully under my leadership, and it's just a case of us all pulling in the same direction rather than throwing daft comments around. It's just not needed, but the fans that are unhappy can come and speak to me, I'm approachable.

"If you have something to say, tell me and I'm quite happy to give you a week's go at trying to run a football club. I'd be interested to see how long you last because it is non-stop from 7.30am to 11.30pm seven days a week."

The Fenmen were missing striker Chris Assombalonga, who has left the club for work reasons, defender Chris Ward was at a wedding, wing back Kieran Hamilton was suspended, captain Kegan Everington is currently unavailable and defender Kris Masiarz was injured. Cenk Acar wore the captain's armband.

To top all that, new signing, striker Andrew Janssen, was sent off after 30 minutes for stamping on an opponent. The player and many in the ground thought it was accidental.

Janssen is dual registered with Lincoln United and started alongside other new faces Morgan Penfold and Amir Ward.

Attacking player Penfold, 23, has signed on dual registration with Spalding United, and Ward is an attacking midfielder on dual registration with Stamford.

Of the game, Mettam added: "If you do come and support the team, and you came today, I think you'll be walking away after a 3-0 defeat quite pleased with what you saw... I am.

"You've all seen my interviews when we've not been good enough, but today I thought we were magnificent from minute one to minute 94 and if we had kept 11 men on the pitch I think we could have nicked it.

"Even with 10 men I thought we were the better team. They scored with a clever set piece, the second goal was a calamity – four ricochets and then sliced in off the bar, crazy Harry Hill stuff. And the third was a 30-yarder right at the end when we were pushing on.

"Apart from that, they didn't trouble us in the second half and they're the big team to go at in this division. I just looked at us today and thought, if those lads were wondering whether they wanted to play for me, today showed everyone that was here that they are fully behind what we are doing and what we are trying to build.

"They ran themselves into the ground today and that is why we were clapped off the pitch despite losing 3-0. The players were an absolute credit."

And the manager thinks he is building a squad capable of being very competitive in the division. "We are building, we hopefully have more players coming in this week to make us even stronger, but I have always said it is a process that's going to take time.

"When I came to the club I said it would probably be Christmas by the time we start competing. We are into November now and I don't think I'm going to be a million miles away on that.

"Their manager said to me today 'I don't think you'll be down there for long playing like that' and two or three of their players have said the same thing, and that's picked me back up.

"Normally I feel low after a defeat but I'm positive from what I've seen today and positive about the players I've brought in.

"Apart from the Loughborough Students game (5-0 away defeat) I think we've been in every match. We've used various players and are just starting now to get players in, which I said would take time.

"But obviously we've not picked up the results we should have picked up. Having said that, if you are not at the games, you are not entitled to your opinion of the lads we have got."

Wisbech Town: Pearson, Tuntulwana, Bath, Wallace, Howard, Zuerner (Kacirek 65 mins), Ward (Onyon 73), Acar (C), Janssen, Penfold, Janneh. Subs (not used): Brooks, Mettam.

Booked: Mo Janneh (Wisbech).

Sent off: Andrew Janssen (Wisbech).

Supporters' Player of the Match: Cenk Acar.

Attendance: 136.

Wisbech entertain Cambs County League outfit Great Shelford in the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup on Tuesday. Last Tuesday, the Fenmen went down 2-0 at Sleaford Town in the UCL Premier North.