WOODBRIDGE Town head into tomorrow’s Premier Division match at home to Norwich United suffering from a crisis of confidence.

After a bright start to the season the Woodpeckers have lost their last three games – a 4-1 league defeat at CRC being sandwiched by exits from two cup competitions against lower league opposition.

After leading Long Melford 2-0 in the FA Vase, Woodbridge lost 3-2 and on Tuesday night went out of the Thurlow Nunn League Cup, losing 2-1 at Whitton United after extra time.

Manager Mark Scopes admitted: “Our biggest enemy is our own confidence at the moment, but there is certainly more to come from us.

“We have had a few injuries and of course we have lost Jay Hubbard, Lewis Pemberton, James Buckle and Darius Laws from last season’s squad.

“We have done okay, but have only played at 50-60 per cent of our capability so far. The players are more disappointed than I am because of the results, but we are making lots of chances.

“Last season we were tight at the back and not conceding and scoring, but this year we cannot score and are leaking goals.”

A missed penalty – the second in two matches – four minutes from the end of extra time cost Woodbridge dear at Whitton on Tuesday, but Scopes was gracious in defeat.

“It was nice to see Whitton play good football. It was a good game and we could have won it, but goals win games.

“Unfortunately my cup record is not great for some reason. I know I try to mix it up a bit and give the youngsters as much chance as I can, but the players just need to up their game a bit.

“They are an honest bunch of lads, but it is just not working at the moment. We will be looking to get a response from them and see what happens.

“Some of our spectators still want us to bang the ball forward, but I will stick to what we do and the players want to play good football.”

Ross Gilfedder, who scored 12 times in 11 games while on ‘work experience’ from Colchester United last season has returned to Notcutts Park this season, but has been sorely missed after being laid low by a hamstring injury.

And Woodbridge’s season has been disrupted by the uncertainty over the future of striker Allicion Blake, who is currently on a dual registration with Bury Town.

Scopes said: “Allicion wants to play at a higher level, and I will never stop anyone who wants to do so. I told him to give it a month and see how it goes and this Saturday is the end of that month, so I will be speaking to him after then to make a decision on his future.”

Woodbridge face a Norwich United side with three wins in their last four league games and Scopes said: “Norwich United had a very good win against Felixstowe & Walton United last weekend. I spoke to a couple of Felixstowe players who said Norwich are getting it together.”

And Scopes had a warning for his squad if there is not an improvement: “If some players are not up to it I will be honest with them and we will have a look and see who is sitting on benches elsewhere, but any players we bring in will be for the right reasons for Woodbridge.”