GEORGE Johnston insists the players take full responsibility for Saturday’s 5-0 hammering at Stockport County.
The defender started the game as captain and came out to speak on behalf of the dressing room at Edgeley Park after what was the heaviest defeat of Ian Evatt’s reign.
Many Wanderers fans stayed on after the final whistle to voice their protests, which included chanting for the manager to be sacked after more than four years in charge.
And though Johnston said he could understand the anger, he pleaded with fans to put the blame on the players, and not the manager.
“As soon as we went into the changing room, as players, we sent the staff out, had a meeting,” he said. “We were very truthful, very honest with each other. There were some honest conversations.
“And we want to make it clear that that performance was solely responsible by the players, not the gaffer, not the staff, the players today let down the whole club.”
Referring specifically to the chants from the away section, Johnston added: “Rightly so, they have every right. As hard as it is, try and stick with us.
“We will do everything we can now to make sure that it is one bad day in a season and that it never happens again.
“The lads have said every day from now on we have to make that a turning point and with regards to the chants about the manager, he has the full support of the players. We have told him that we have let him down.”
Wanderers underperformed in the first half but were still in touch at 1-0 down when they came out after the break. The second goal, scored by Kyle Wooton two minutes after the restart proved a pivotal one, however, and Stockport went on to record three more – with Bolton not even mustering a shot on target.
“That wasn’t nice to be a part of, especially when the goals were going in during the second half,” Johnston said. “As the goals went in their fans were getting more lively and it was getting more difficult. It was one of the darkest days since I have been here.
“I think barring maybe a couple of the lads everyone was massively under-par. We said to each other that we have got to start holding each other accountable but the first one is yourself. If you are not driving yourself on each day, you are not doing everything you can. That is the starting point.”
Wanderers do have a Bristol Street Motors Trophy game at home to Fleetwood on Tuesday night but must wait for Saturday, November 23, and the visit of another local rival in Blackpool to make amends in League One.
“It is worse because we don’t have a league game to put it right. It is going to sit with us for a couple of weeks now,” Johnston said.
“Hopefully you look back at this come the end of the season and it was a blip. A bad day out.
“That is hopefully all that happens and we can move on come Blackpool.”
