KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Phil Brown says he wants players with a ‘winning mentality’ at the club next season.
Harriers missed on automatic promotion to the National League last week by losing at Southport.
And their heartbreak was complete at Aggborough on Sunday when a late goal from Chester saw lose 2-1.
Kyle Morrison raised hopes of Kidderminster securing a place in the National League North play-off final against Scunthorpe when he scored after 19 minutes.
But Dylan Mottley-Henry levelled before Harriers keeper Christian Dibble saved a penalty from Kurt Willoughby.
Chester would not be denied though and Declan Weeks won it with eight minutes to go.
It was a deflating end to the season for Harriers after a strong finish to the campaign.
And Brown hinted that – despite the good performances of recent weeks – he did not want a team that could not finish the job.
The ex-Premier League boss also confirmed he was ready to challenge again – with one year left on his Aggborough contract.
Brown told the club’s official YouTube channel: “When the pressure was cranked up, we didn’t respond. But we cranked the pressure by ourselves. We won 12 out of 14 games.
“We had 36 out of 38 points – it was brilliant, what we did.
“So we were responsible for getting into the last game of the season – but then to not conduct yourself in the manner that you have been is unacceptable.
“There was no urgency, there was no direction. To have players that can’t handle that is something I have to look at, and it’s something I have to look at deeply. With regards to next season.
“I think the previous management team – and I’ve been told this story on numerous occasions – actually fell in love with a team that finished very strongly at the end of the season two years back, and consequently a lot of players were retained after that.
“It’s understandable behaviour from a coach’s perspective. But the bottom line is, you’ve got have those players when push comes to shove.
“I can’t be working with that kind of mentality. I have to work with the mentality that can actually get it over the line.
“If we can make positive decisions, right decisions in the close season with regards to the retained list, then hopefully we’ll have a better chance next year.
“This time, we didn’t step up to the plate.”
Brown insisted he is the man to take Kidderminster into next season.
He added: “As far as my record goes, it speaks for itself, but at this level, it’s understandable, it’s totally different.
“I must admit, I’ve enjoyed it. But there are moments when you have to understand what it takes to win a game of football and get it over the line and win promotion.
“I noticed one person that was in a stadium. One I let go for financial reasons. That was Shane Byrne, and he was here as a former captain of the club, and he was here as a promotion-winning champion at Brackley. That kind of mentality is the kind of mentality we need.
“Have I got that mental kind of mentality? Absolutely.”
