AFTER their latest dire display, disgruntled Darlington fans directed their annoyance at manager David Hodgson, but Neil Wainwright insists the players must take responsibility for Saturday's defeat at Bury.

Patience is clearly beginning to wear thin among fans, who chanted "Hodgy, what's the score?" towards the end of their worst performance of the season.

In a campaign which promised so much, supporters are beginning to question whether a summer of hope has transpired into an autumn of reality, having delivered so little.

What began with an attractive, young free-flowing side in pre-season, is now one, which doesn't seem to know it's proverbial backside from its elbow.

Hodgson was unavailable for comment on Saturday, although the boss remains insistent that changes in personnel and system are not the crux of their problems.

In similarly poor performances this season, Hodgson has pointed the finger of blame at individual errors. But, in seeing his side create more pressure on themselves than chances in front of goal, there is a time and a place for the passing game Hodgson encourages - and it is not across the back four.

Indeed, it is with that kind of over-elaboration that Quakers have, on countless occasions this season, invited pressure, not only from opponents, but the terraces too.

And, with a midfield showing little creativity - without Carlos Logan and Anthony Peacock - and few scoring opportunities in front of goal, supporters were keen to make their feelings known towards the Quakers bench in the last ten minutes at Gigg Lane.

"At that stage of the game I think everyone is frustrated," said Wainwright. "We were trying to find a way back in the game, but it wasn't really happening.

"The fans are bound to get upset when it's not going our way and they have every right to make their feelings known.

"It's always easy to point the finger at the manager, but I think we, as players, must shoulder the blame in these situations.

"The manager has always done what he feels is right for the club and I have every confidence that we will get it right."

An inquest into Saturday's defeat kept Wainwright and the rest of his team-mates in the dressing room long after the final whistle.

"The manager wasn't very happy at all and rightly so," admitted Wainwright. "We've not performed and he had a few choice words to say to the lads afterwards. I don't think we have anything to argue about either."

Hodgson knows any improvement on last season's eighth-placed finish will depend on consistency. Quakers' failure to build on their form last year effectively cost them a play-off place.

Having performed so well in the win against Macclesfield eight days earlier, Wainwright was at a loss to explain Saturday's outcome.

"Everyone is looking for that magic solution, but it's hard to explain why we've gone from last week's performance to that," said Wainwright.

"We played really well against Macclesfield and this performance was the complete opposite. We've not passed the ball anywhere near as well as we can and that's disappointing."

Wainwright strongly refutes suggestions that Hodgson's constant team tinkering has had any adverse effect on Quakers' form this season.

Hodgson started with a 4-5-1 formation on Saturday, before reverting to 3-5-2 following an injury to David Duke. The Quakers boss has also played 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 systems this season.

However, Wainwright said: "I don't think these kind of performances have anything to do with the systems we play. We've played in several formations and proved that they can all work."

Wainwright also insists the acrimonious departure of Clyde Wijnhard has had no effect on team spirits.

"Nothing has really changed," said Wainwright. "We're a bubbly bunch of lads, we have a laugh and we train hard.

"We're tight as a group and we will get through it."

And, while Wainwright is keen to see Hodgson end his search for Wijnhard's replacement, the 27-year-old has turned his immediate attention to tomorrow's LDV Vans Trophy first round game at Kidderminster.

"A new striker could give the lads a lift, but we can lift ourselves by winning at Kidderminster on Tuesday," said Wainwright.

*Wijnhard made a losing start to his Macclesfield career at the weekend. The Dutchman came on after just 21 minutes as the Silkmen were beaten 4-0 at home to Peterborough.

Read more about the Quakers here.