DIRECTOR of football Matthew McGowan today called on Terras fans to show more ‘patience’ towards boss Steve Johnson.
The Weymouth manager has come under fire from sections of the Wessex Stadium crowd after a run of only one league win in six games.
Johnson faces another tricky game tomorrow when his side travel to in-form Havant and Waterlooville in Conference South (3pm).
And despite a poor recent run, McGowan insists the former Latvia under-18 boss has done a good job since taking over last November.
He told Echosport: “Steve was brought into the club to do a job and as far as we’re concerned he is doing exactly what we asked of him.
“As a club we are moving in the right direction – results haven’t been the best recently but the signs are there that we are progressing.
“What’s frustrating is that when we sign players people are saying how they are great signings, yet those same people run out of patience with those players after only a couple of games.
“People need to be more patient, both with the players and with Steve.
“We’ve brought a lot of players into the club since Steve arrived, some have worked and some haven’t.
“But people can be sure that those we do not think will make the grade at this level will not be here next season.
“We’re building for the future as a club and I hope people can look beyond the last few games and see the bigger picture.”
Johnson, who has been laid low with flu this week, insists Weymouth travel to West Leigh Park in good spirits despite their recent poor form.
“All the players are absolutely convinced we can still win promotion,” he said.
“We know that for that to happen results need to dramatically improve and there’ll be no better place to start than Havant tomorrow.
“They have been on a great run, being unbeaten for the last five, but we’ve got to think we can win.”
The visitors are likely to line up against former defender Robbie Pethick tommorow.
Midfielder Shaun Wilkinson, back after a loan spell with the Hawks, is out with an ankle injury while there are also injury doubts over Dave Waterman (ankle) and Simon Browne (leg).
Johnson is pondering a few positional changes and could play big defender Bradley Thomas as a striker in the absence of targetman Kirk Jackson.
“I played Brad up front in our reserve game with Bristol City the other night and he did really well there,” he said.
“He’s got a good touch and is big and strong and that’s certainly an option I’m considering with Kirk missing through suspension.”
