LONG-SERVING full-back Tyler Weir made an impassioned plea to his Worcester City’s team-mates to “man up” ahead of today’s home clash with lowly Dunkirk (3pm).

Weir cut a disconsolate figure on Wednesday night after playing a part in City’s disappointing 4-3 defeat to Coventry Sphinx at the Victoria Ground.

The result leaves Worcester in 12th place in the Midland League Premier Division – a position Weir who played for City in National League North two years ago described as “unacceptable”.

The 28-year-old felt his side played “like kids” at times against Sphinx and needed to “grow up a bit” as he targets maximum points from City’s final three fixtures.

“To concede four goals at home isn’t good enough,” Weir said.

“Two of those were from set-pieces. It’s too easy. We need to man up.

“It’s like kids against men sometimes so we need to grow up a bit and actually put our bodies on the line for this football club.”

Weir who first joined Worcester in 2012 has made almost 250 appearances for the club.

“I have left five times in seven years for different reasons,” Weir said.

“There were situations when I didn’t really want to leave but I had to because of what was going on behind the scenes.

“It really winds me up when people turn up and think ‘We are Worcester City, we are going to win’ as it doesn’t work like that.

“They need to earn the right to play for this football club.”

A crowd of less than 200 people turned out to watch struggling City and Weir said he was determined to repay those hardy supporters.

“We have got two home games left and we need to give the fans back something,” Weir said.

“Fair play to those who turned up on Wednesday night when we had nothing to play for.

“We are in mid-table which is unacceptable.

“We should be winning this league comfortably but Snapper (manager John Snape) has got his hands tied up with what we have got (financially).

“I need to be putting more into it too. Collectively and individually we need to do 20 per cent more out there.

“Snapper and Ash (Vincent, assistant boss) do a lot behind the scenes and I think we let them down again on Wednesday.”

City face a Dunkirk side that are second from bottom and were hammered 6-1 by Snape’s men in September.

Defender Callum McFarlane and strikers Kyonn Evans and Dave Reynolds could be back available but there are doubts over the fitness of centre-back Jordan Stoddart who suffered a knock against Sphinx.

“Maybe some people are looking towards next season but we have got three games left and I want us to get nine points,” Weir added.

“Our confidence is low at the minute but we need to go out and beat Dunkirk. It’s as simple as that.”