Visibly hurting Stuart King in accountability call as he breaks down latest loss

A visibly hurting Stuart King was left counting the cost of another collapse after watching his side lost 4-0 to Dungannon Swifts.

Carrick Rangers' miserable season continued at Stangmore Park, making it eight Premiership defeats on the bounce following an opening day win over Glenavon.

Saturday's loss was compounded by Joe Crowe's dismissal, with the Swifts easing to a comfortable victory.

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King insists he will take responsibility for his side's performances, but added that it was time his players accepted some accountability.

He told the club's YouTube channel: "I thought we were very good for 30 minutes. I thought there was a big decision that wasn't made for their first goal. Their second goal, we didn't close the ball down. And then we had a man sent off.

"We were up against it after that. We gave away two amateur goals after the break which was ridiculous. And it has been another tough day at the office."

He added: "I'll always take full responsibility, they are my players. And I won't leave anyone out to dry. But today's team talk was about accountability and about players needing to be made accountable.

"They cross that line, and I am not trying to hide behind them because they are my players, but I can't legislate for players getting sent off, people not closing down, the two goals in the second half which were disgraceful.

"We are down to 10 men and trying to play triangles outside our own box and trying to beat men outside our box. You can't do that.

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"Every week I seem to be talking about individual errors. And I am going to take a load more flak tonight, of course I am. But it is bloody hard.

"They have to be made accountable. I know people will say online that I am leaving them out to dry, but they have to be made accountable for what they do on the pitch. I have told them to their face.

"We have to see this out as a group, but I can't legislate for the goals or sending off."

King accepts his players need a shot of confidence to get their season up and running again, after watching their latest malaise at Stangmore.

He said: "I think it is a weak mentality that they all seem to be playing with. It's like everything is on top of them.

"I've told them week in, week out, try being a kid. Try to go back when you were a kid playing football when you went out with freedom and tried to enjoy themselves.

"We have prided ourselves in getting everything out of them and being strong and hard to beat. We have brought better players to this football club and it hasn't worked.

"It is up to me to sort it out, to try and fix it. They need to take accountability for their actions. And there are a l;ot of senior players in there that have had a real frank discussion on how they can help the staff get back to winning games.

"We did well last week (against Linfield) and we started well today, but everything is going against us. We need to stick together."

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