MORTON chairman Douglas Rae has warned the club’s players they must give the fans something to shout about again.

In his programme notes for Saturday’s 2-0 win against Stirling Albion, Cappielow chief Mr Rae was critical of the side’s recent performances.

He stated that the attendance, which was 709 down on the previous home fixture against Dunfermline, would be lower because of defeats at Stenhousemuir and Brechin City.

And the Golden Casket owner called on the squad to rediscover their ‘scintillating’ form from earlier in the season in order to mount a serious promotion charge and win the fans’ favour.

Rae wrote: “Following a string of good defensive matches from the start of the season, we competed poorly over the last two games.

“We must do better if we are to sustain our hopes for being in the play-offs should we fail to win outright promotion, which currently would suggest that that is not likely.

“What has gone wrong defensively? Far too many holes in our defensive strategy has certainly been the cause of the defeats over the past two games.

“We must tighten up, thereby stopping our opponents finding goal scoring easy. My belief for the fall away within the defence is that all the defenders are lumping every ball up the park at present.

“Whereas, manager Jim [Duffy] was constantly preaching to the players that they were to makes passes on the ground so that our team could move quickly into enemy territory.

“I would certainly like to see those instructions re-introduced, although I am sure that the gaffer has not changed his instruction to: ‘On every occasion, lump the ball up the park as soon as you get possession of it.’ “Lumping the ball and standing still thereafter is not the way forward for us to play. I am sure you have heard the manager say that on many occasions.

“There is no doubt that we are in a tough league. Most teams have improved substantially whereas we have shown too much inconsistency.

“I am aware that quite a few of the players agree they have to improve by getting back to some of the scintillating movements that we previously got involved in, particularly in our home matches.

“At Cappielow we have a good collection of young players, the majority of whom want to improve both their form and the team’s results. Strangely enough, that is what the supporters want too!

“The supporters are desperate for you guys to do well as you will have seen and heard by the encouragement given to you when you have deserved it.

“Let’s today give the fans something to be encouraged about so that you can hear the singing and cheering.

“Isn’t it much better to play when the fans are singing their rendition of today’s popular songs rather than the crowd giving you stick?

“The crowd will be fewer in number today as a result of you performing so poorly over the last two games. Let’s make poor form a thing of the past, starting today.”