Jarrow Roofing boss questions side's desire and application

The Roofers were found wanting on Saturday as they slipped to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Newton Aycliffe, and while the South Tynesiders could have grabbed a point they barely deserved, McLoughlin was frustrated by how his team performed.

“We needed to show a lot more on Saturday and, as a team, we didn’t put our mark on the game.

“It was two poor sides but the worst one lost and the team with the most desire and work-rate won.

“You can’t win a game with just seven or eight players applying themselves.

“It doesn’t matter what level of football it is, if people are turning up and not willing to push themselves to a level that will at least put in a good display then the team will suffer.”

The Roofing supremo has already seen his team fall out of the FA Cup after a 2-0 replay defeat against North Shields as well as dropping two points in their Northern League Division One opener hosting Dunston UTS after the Roofers had controlled much of the game.

Yet despite the high of an emphatic 4-1 win at Ryhope CW, there has been enough in the opening five games for McLoughlin to be worried of a repeat of last season where inconsistent performances saw his team score heaps of goals yet also leak considerably more.

And with promotion hopefuls Bishops travelling to South Tyneside, the hope on Boldon is that Roofing can offer goalkeeper Andy Jennison more protection across the pitch than on Saturday when defensive blips led to both Aycliffe goals.

“Bishops are a good team who look to do things the right way,” added McLoughlin.

“They are well organised and have some dangerous players. But that’s the same with a lot of the teams in this division so you always need to be on guard.

“I’m expecting us to at least match their effort and give them a good game.”

Roofing will hope to have Kris Hughes fit again while Kerry Hedley and Kyran Whitehead should return having missed Saturday’s game. Corey Barnes should be the only absentee. Kick off is 7.30pm.