Carshalton Athletic defender Adriano Moraes reckons boss Stuart Massey knew the writing was on the wall before his sacking earlier this week.

Moraes wore the captain’s armband for Massey’s final game in charge on Tuesday night – a telling 2-1 Ryman Division One South defeat at fellow strugglers East Grinstead Town.

The Robins are without a win in nine games in all competitions, and Tuesday night’s reverse left them just two points above the dropzone.

Massey was appointed manager in January, and his successor will be the Robins fifth boss inside three seasons, after Paul Dipre, Tommy Williams and Ian Hazel.

Dipre on Massey sacking

As for Moraes, the next incumbent will be his fourth in his time at Colston Avenue.

He said: “Stuart was trying to do something with the younger players, bringing a lot through the ranks, but maybe we needed some more experienced players.

“The results were not going our way, and he kept chopping and changing the side a lot, and it did not work in his favour – but I know he always did what he thought was best.”

He added: “As our losing run continued, Massey kept telling us that if results didn’t improve, he would probably not be with us in the changing room much longer.

“He has been in football for a long time and I’m sure he knew it was coming.

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Hopes for the future: Adriano Moraes does not want a mass player exodus when the new man comes in

“The manager is always the first person to go when results are not going well.

“And something had to be done, we’re almost 20 games into the season, and it is better to do it now than leave it too late.”

Having seen managers come and go, Moraes has some advice for whoever fills the hot seat.

He said: “When a new manager has come in, they have always let a lot of players go and I am hoping that does not happen again.

“You lose close friends and when the boss brings in 10 new names it takes a long time to get to know everyone, and by then it could be too late to turn anything around at the club. That’s the issue.”

Reserve team manager Rob Scantlebury will be caretaker manager in the interim, and he welcomes Ramsgate to Colston Avenue on Saturday in the league.

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