Godmanchester Rovers manager Ollie Drake has given himself a public dressing down.

The Hunts Post: Godmanchester Rovers manager Ollie Drake.Godmanchester Rovers manager Ollie Drake. (Image: Archant)

Drake feels a lack of training and motivation since the turn of the year has taken the edge off a team chasing silverware and a Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division top-six finish.

Rovers failed to reach top gear when beating Fakenham Town 2-0 in a league clash at the David Wilson Homes Ground last Saturday.

Joe Furness hit the post with an early penalty before leading scorer Jack Chandler broke the deadlock midway through the first half.

But Rovers had to wait until the dying moments to clinch victory when Matty Allan determinedly doubled their lead.

That was the club’s first outing since a painful League Challenge Cup exit when being thumped 5-1 at Thetford 11 days earlier.

“I haven’t been good enough as a coach and manager just lately,” said Drake. “I took things for granted a little bit while we were on a good run.

“We haven’t trained since the turn of the year due to the wet weather meaning we can’t get on our pitch.

“The players have to take a large share of the responsibility for the way we went out of the League Challenge Cup, but I didn’t motivate them well enough.

“We then looked lethargic against Fakenham. It was a game we needed to win and we managed that, but the sharpness wasn’t there.

“The players have to take their own diet and fitness regimes seriously as well, but I’ve made it too easy for them to get away with a few too many things.

“I’m still learning every week.”

Rovers will be back in training this week ahead of two crucial home clashes in the coming days. They entertain fifth-placed Brantham Athletic this Saturday before hosting Stanway Rovers, who sit seventh, on Wednesday, February 28.

And Drake won’t settle for anything less than two victories. He added: “They are two of the biggest games in our season.

“We’re facing the teams directly above and below us in the table – and we need to beat them both. If we can pick up six points, we’ll be sitting in really good shape.”