WAYNE Jones says that the players must take responsibility for their poor form, which has resulted in Matthew Bishop being asked to stand aside as the Aberystwyth Town manager.

Assistant boss Jones has taken charge of the first team until the end of the season as Aber battle to avoid relegation from the Welsh Premier.

It has been a very tough season at Park Avenue, with the incoming management team of Bishop and Jones being tasked with assembling a new young squad last summer.

They also had to play the first 11 matches of the season away from home, due to the installation of the 3G pitch, but came close to qualifying for the top six at the league split.

A poor run of form since Christmas, however, has dragged them into a relegation scrap, and their 25-year unbroken membership of the league is now under threat as they hover just two points above the drop zone.

Jones said: “When we started back in June we knew the transition of the Club in terms of the 3G. The Club wanted new players and a new set up, and we have adhered to that.

“The objective was to stay out of the bottom two, and we are on course for that. In all fairness to Matthew, he paid the price for certain players.

“It’s down to all of us, including myself, at the end of the day. We’ve asked questions about what we could have done better, and the players have got to take some responsibility.

“Had we seen the game out against Airbus, from being two goals ahead, I think that Matthew would be here doing the interview today, not me.

“Individual mistakes cost him his job, that’s the story of our season.”

The Club has not ruled out the possibility of Bishop playing a future role in the future development of the Club, and Jones said it may happen.

“It’s up to him to decide, but this has hit him like a train,” said Jones.

“Matthew has put everything into the Club this year, and he’s bitterly disappointed with the outcome.

“But from our point of view, we’ve got to get this Club back on track, and keep the Club up this year. Maybe then Matthew and the Club will speak, and things will be discussed.

“We’ve all got our opinions on the game, and I’ll do things differently. But I worked closely with Matthew and I am to blame for the defeats also.

“The Club could have got rid of us both. It wasn’t the case, I don’t think they want him to leave long term.

“Obviously he has got a demanding job and he has got a lot of travelling.

“That is not taking anything away from the fact that he gave everything, but some players let him down.”

After a goalless draw with Cefn Druids last weekend, Aber are two points above second-from-bottom Rhyl with just three games to go, including a crunch home game against the Lilywhites on Friday, 14 April.

Meanwhile the Club confirmed last week that Kurtis March, Kosta Georgeisky and Lee Healey have followed Chris Jones in leaving Park Avenue, in a season that has seen 30 players put on an Aber shirt this season.

Midfielder March was released to join Welsh League division two side Llanelli, after 18 starts, winger Geogievsky has joined Welsh League Division One side Penybont, after five starts, and striker Healey was also released last Wednesday after making just three substitute appearances.