TNS’ under performing stars have been told to “improve their attitude” ahead of Saturday’s trip to Carmarthen Town.

Saints manager Scott Ruscoe pulled no punches in his assessment of his side’s dismal showing in last Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at Cardiff Metropolitan.

At the time the County Times went to press the Saints were in Nathaniel MG Cup action at Huws Gray Alliance side Prestatyn Town with Ruscoe ringing the changes after a third defeat of the season.

Ruscoe refused to panic despite trailing Connahs Quay Nomads at the top of the table.

“The first 15 to 20 minutes we did OK and we should have scored three goals but then we got frustrated and they scored against the run of play really,” said Ruscoe. “We did not play well enough after that and too many players were off their game.

“I brought Dean Ebbe off at half time because he was poor and I thought Adrian Cieslewicz and Jamie Mullan were poor too.

“That’s three of four attacking players there all not getting hold of the ball and all making wrong decisions.

“That affects the back four then and they started to get panicky. It was just a bad day at the office all around.”

Ruscoe was prepared to give his players the benefit of doubt after their capital horror show but insisted his patience could only be tested so far.

“I don’t know if we went out thinking we’re too good for this and that we can’t be beaten. Sometimes you need a reality check. It can only happen once.”

Ruscoe insisted while the Saints defeats to Queens Park and Connahs Quay Nomads had disappointed neither had made him as angry as Sunday’s display.

“The defeat was a bad defeat, it looks bad on paper and looks worse because it was on the television and every one could see it. I’m still angry and I’m still frustrated but the positive is we have games coming up to put it right, first against Prestatyn and then on Saturday at Carmarthen Town.”