CRANE Sports chairman Steve Roper says that now is not the time to push the panic button with the club sitting bottom of the Kingsley Healthcare SIL Senior Division.

Cranes have tasted defeat in each of their opening three matches so far, but Roper is remaining upbeat.

He said: “It has been a bitter-sweet start to the season as the first team have suffered three defeats on the bounce, but the reserves sit proudly joint top of their division having won all three of their opening fixtures.

“As far as the first team goes it certainly is not time to push the panic button. We have basically the same squad as last year and, let’s be honest, it is only three games ago we were winning the Omnico Cup!”

He said that manager Kevin Sharman and assistant Gary Bevis, who took over at the helm last September, had worked tirelessly during the close season to attract new players, and one or two new faces had arrived to bolster last season’s squad.

Roper continued: “It does still amaze us all that good young players are prepared to sit on a Ridgeons (League) bench for �15 instead of having a game on a Saturday afternon in the SIL. It is a sign of the times, I suppose.

“The upshot of the situation is that we all stick together, players, managers and committee and work hard to get results on a Saturday afternoon.

“There are some players who definitely need to take a look at themselves and ask the question: ‘Am I giving 100 per cent for the club?’

“Those guys need to step up to the mark as we will not have anything less at our beloved club.

“If everyone concerned pulls together then results will come and we will pull away from the basement of the table,” he said.

Despite the first team’s on-the-field predicament Roper took time to praise Barry Turner and his team at Greshams, where Cranes play their home matches.

“The facilities are superb and the pitch is in mint condition. With the new outdoor seating deck operational what more could any player or official ask for on a Saturday afternoon?” he asked.

Cranes, who lost 4-0 at home last Saturday to East Bergholt United - one of six teams tied at the top on six points - tomorrow entertain Framlingham Town, who are third-from-bottom and also searching for their first win of the season.