NIGEL Tripp is considering his future at the Conigre, after watching his Melksham Town side take just five points from their first nine league matches.

Monday night's Les Phillips' Cup exit at the hands of neighbours Devizes Town was almost the final straw for the Melksham boss as he launched a vicious attack on the attitude of his players.

Tripp was set to quit after the match, but after a few days of thinking it over and talking it over with assistant manager and brother Pete, he has promised not to make a rash decision.

But another comprehensive defeat in Tuesday night's Screwfix League Premier Division match at Welton Rovers could be one loss too many and could bring about the end of Tripp's reign.

Tripp said: "I am seriously looking at whether I want to carry on or not. Losing like this every week is just not enjoyable.

"I wish I could sign Dr Jekyll, because he is more consistent than our players are. We are out of our cup and fighting against relegation in the league.

"As a manager if I am not progressing I don't feel as though I can carry on and the club probably feels the same way about me.

"I like my football but I don't need it. I think I have had enough."

Melksham are second from bottom in Division One going into tomorrow's match at Welton, and Tripp has accused his players of not caring enough.

He said: "There are far too many of them out there who just don't seem to care about it. I think it is all about their generation. At half time one of our lads asked to be taken off because he had a sore leg. I couldn't believe that, you should be dying to stay on the pitch not come off it.

"They all treat matches for Melksham in the same way as they do their Sunday football matches and that is unacceptable.

"Jamie Cheeseman, Carl Harfield and Ryan Trowbridge die for the cause every week but as for the rest, you can forget it.

"We are no further forward than we were last year and to be honest the only uncertainty is whether I will jump before I am pushed."

A commanding centre back in his day, Tripp spent the majority of his career at Chippenham Town but also enjoyed spells at Trowbridge Town, Corsham Town, Gloucester City, Mangotsfield and Melksham.

At the beginning of last season he was appointed Melksham boss but ever since his side have been battling in the lower reaches of the Premier Division.

On Wednesday night, Tripp said he was still thinking about quitting the club but has decided to give his players one more chance.

He said: "Resignation is still in my mind but if I walk away then I have let the players who have caused it win.

"In a way I am determined to turn things around but if they don't buck up their ideas I am out of here.

"I will tell the players how I am feeling and it up to them.

"If they feel they are letting me down then hopefully they will start battling for me but if not there is nothing else for me to do here."