Paddy uses programme to explain his point

Caretaker manager Paddy Atkinson has felt the need to explain his recent comments to the media - after a group of fans took issue with them on the unofficial Blyth Spartans fans' forum.

Last Friday, Paddy gave an interview to the Evening Chronicle in which it was alleged that he had told supporters to "Forget about the league table until Easter."

However, the 42-year-old has used his programme notes for Saturday's game against Frickley Athletic to explain that this - in fact - was not the case.

He said: "I can fully understand the fans' reactions to those comments. I wasn't aware that they were a bit disgruntled about it, until it was brought to my attention.

"It's like any club. The fans want to see where their team is and what they're doing - be it Premier League or Sunday League - so, I can see their point of view.

"If the press have mis-led in any way, it wasn't intended like that."

Atkinson then expanded on his point, to explain just what he had been responding to.

He said: "The question wasn't asked "Do you look at the table?" I was asked for my main aims and goals.

"I said that we will look more at a mini-league situation, where we'll ask whether we can get nine points from three games etc.

"From a fan's point of view, yes look at the table. But, internally, we have a structure to stick to and a budget to stick to.

"We need to replace players and we know that has to happen, but it's not going to happen overnight."