STEVE BAKER has promised personnel changes at Chipstead this week, insisting some players in his current side "aren't capable of defending a lead or winning 1-0".
Baker identified the defence as an area he was keen to strengthen when he took over at High Road at the end of November, but despite several changes the Chips have continued to concede goals at an alarming rate – letting in 21 in their last six league games.
And after Chipstead threw away a 2-0 lead, eventually losing 4-3 against their fellow Ryman League strugglers Three Bridges, who only had ten men for 77 minutes of the match on Saturday, Baker says he has had enough.
"I've got to give credit where it's due and Three Bridges gave a performance in the last half an hour and we didn't.
"They deserved the win," he admitted.
"I know I haven't been here long, but for me that was the most disappointed I've been since I arrived.
"We couldn't have had more luck early on in the game; their keeper was sent off and a non-keeper had to go in goal, then we had two fluky goals, one which was definitely wind-assisted.
"Then in the last 35 minutes we lost our belief."
But Baker says he did not rant and rave after the game, admitting defeat with some of the players.
"Normally I'd rave, but sometimes you have to pick the right time and the right place," he said. "With some individuals I've realised they just aren't good enough, so there is no point shouting at them or trying to improve them.
"Saturday was the straw that broke the camel's back.
"Certain personnel aren't good enough and changes will definitely happen.
"It might take a few days but a few players will go and I'll bring a few in as well, because the team we have at the moment aren't capable of defending a lead or winning 1-0."
However, while Chipstead have been conceding goals at a rate of knots, they have been scoring at a similar rate and that is largely down to their impressive captain Dan Moody.
Moody is the fourth highest scorer in the Division One South, despite playing in midfield.
"Dan Moody is as good a player as I've seen in non-league football," Baker said.
"It's not just his ability either; he has a great attitude and his goalscoring record is fantastic. He has single-handedly won us points.
"He does things above the level he is playing at.
"Dan is a credit to himself and the club, and long may it continue."
