WEYMOUTH chief executive Martyn Harrison has held talks with manager Steve Claridge about the club's disappointing start to the season.

Defeat at Thurrock on Saturday saw the Terras plummet to 15th in the Conference South table having taken just 14 points from their opening 12 games.

Harrison, who has ploughed more than £600,000 into the club, claims that record is simply not good enough and has probed Claridge about the best way forward.

"We have a problem and it's something I've talked to Steve about," admitted Harrison. "I've asked him what the problem is and what's the best way forward for the football club.

"When you look at our position in the table it's not actually that bad because another six points or so would put us right back up there among the leaders. But the difference between us and many clubs is that we've spent an awful amount of money bringing in well paid players to do a particular job and that is to get the team promoted.

"Expectations are high as they should be and things need to be sorted out."

He added: "As far as results are concerned the buck doesn't stop with me, it stops with

the manager. I'm just the guy who has put all

the money in but I don't get involved in

picking the team or formations or anything like that.

"Unfortunately the players are just not doing it at the moment and they were told, in no uncertain terms, to buck up their ideas after the game at Thurrock and so it's now up to them."

And Harrison said that if results don't improve fast then players could soon find themselves on the transfer list.

He explained: "It's time for some players to shape up or ship out. We've spent the money bringing them here and now it's up to them.

"Hopefully they've got the message after Saturday. They were locked in the dressing room afterwards for an hour so I think it must have sunk in."

Harrison has described this weekend's FA Cup Second Qualifying Round clash with Dorchester at the Avenue Stadium as 'massive.'

"It's a big and very important game for both clubs and massive in terms of the result and the finances," he said. "The least I can see us getting there is a draw and I'm certainly confident we can give a much-improved performance. If we lose then I'll have to look at the situation again.

"But it won't be easy. I went and watched Dorchester play the other day and thought they looked a good side. "

He added: "There's a been a bit of bad feeling between the clubs over the past 18 months and so it was nice to go there and meet their chairman and all their directors and staff. I found them to be a smashing bunch who made me really welcome and I'm looking forward to returning on Saturday."