IT seems inconceivable that a mere couple of months after the City Supporters' Trust secured football at Bootham Crescent, they find themselves in the Nationwide Conference drop zone after yet another dire defeat in the relegation six-pointer with fellow strugglers Macclesfield.

Perhaps inconceivable is not the right word as that would suggest City's current predicament was a matter of ill-luck, or a freak happening. No, the phrase I am looking for is gross dereliction of duty, and pained as I am to say it this lays squarely with the players.

When one thinks of all that has been achieved off the pitch to save our club, the singular lack of commitment and passion shown in turn by the players, (excepting Lee Nogan and Darren Dunning) over the last ten to 12 games has been nothing short of shameful.

Administration adversity brought the team together, in this new era it has brought powder-puff fragility.

Look at the recent results of Carlisle and Macclesfield.

Tell me how badly they want to stay in the Football League. All City supporters want to see is the same.

What will it take for the City players to wake up and smell the coffee?

M A Chappell

Whitley Bay

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Updated: 09:05 Wednesday, April 07, 2004