BEN Gerring has intimated that Monday’s disastrous defeat to Frome Town may have reflected some of the players’ excesses at the weekend.

The candid Weymouth defender, who scored an unfortunate own goal in the clash, reckons inconsistencies in his team-mates’ mental approach is in danger of costing the club its Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division status.

Speaking exclusively to Echosport, Gerring said: “A lot of us seem to believe we can just pick and choose when we turn up.

“Some of us seemed to think on Monday all we had to do was go through the motions against Frome but to be honest, in the end, they made us look silly.

“To think that was the same group of players that came from behind to claim a point apiece from promotion-chasing Chesham United and St Albans City was extremely hard to believe.

“There are no disturbances in the camp and everyone gets on well but I really do think that this latest defeat reflected some people’s weekends.

“I am not sure how everyone prepares themselves ahead of games but it is clear certain mindsets need to change.”

Adding weight to Gerring’s concerns, rumours are rife that certain first-team players were out drinking less than 24 hours before Monday’s clash.

When asked to comment, Terras’ boss Brendon King said: “I have not heard about anything like that but if it is true then rest assured I will get to the bottom of it.”

He went on to add: “On reflection, and having had a chat with Matt Groves, maybe we did get it wrong against Frome.

“Groover should have perhaps started even though his legs were not 100 per cent and the same could be said for Alex Jeannin. Hindsight is a wonderful thing though, and all we can do now is learn from it.”

Another area where King’s judgment has been called into question is between the posts where on-loan stopper Alex Hards has been preferred to Tom Manley in the last two games.

The Gosport Borough man, who was at fault for two of the goals against the Robins, was initially called in as cover after Manley was forced to miss a couple of matches through work commitments.

Some fans believe the club should have utilised the talents of rookie keeper Chris Povall instead but joint-reserve-team manager Jake Richmond is backing King.

He said: “Chris has fantastic potential but if he was thrown in now it could easily destroy him as he is very much a confidence keeper.

“In his last two games for the reserves he has been fantastic and you can see the progress he has made since training alongside the first-team keepers, but it is way too early to thrust him in now, particularly in a relegation battle.

“One dropped cross in such a high-pressure situation would ruin him and at the end of the day you have to go with experience. In a couple of years’ time he may be ready for it but not at the moment.

“We also have Jamie Perry, who is as good as Chris, but they are both still young and need time to develop.”

The Terras currently sit just three points above the drop-zone with three games left.

This Saturday, they travel to play-off contenders Cambridge City before completing their campaign with a home clash against Hitchin Town (April 21) and a tough trip to fellow relegation candidates Redditch United on the last day of the season (April 28).

* Nigel Biddlecombe has issued an apology following Monday’s unrest at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

The Terras’ 3-0 defeat against Frome Town witnessed crowd trouble throughout the second half and the Weymouth chairman has admitted the whole situation should have been handled a lot better from start to finish.

Posting his statement on an independent fans’ forum, Biddlecombe said: “I owe the fans of WFC, stewards and fellow officials an apology in that the claims of the Frome Town officials that they suggested an early kick-off is quite true. They did so a few weeks ago but after talking with the police we decided to stick to the normal three o'clock.

“We also decided that using segregation was not necessary. I can only apologise that we got it wrong, and as chairman, I take complete responsibility for the error of judgment.”

It is understood the Terras are considering making a formal complaint to the FA regarding the behaviour of Frome Town FC and its fans.

* The home supporters that were involved in a public spat with Weymouth coach Micky Greeno after the Frome game have made an official complaint to the club’s board but it appears the situation has already been resolved.

Terras’ finance director Ralph Ricardo said: “Both parties have been spoken to and there are no major concerns. That matter has been dealt with.”