STAN TERNENT today issued a stark pre-season warning to Town’s new-look squad: “Start performing or clear out!”

That was his verdict after successive defeats in the Hartlepool Tournament and with less than two weeks to the big League I kick-off against Stockport County at the Galpharm.

Ternent was today having talks in a bid to clinch the £250,000 arrival of Ipswich wingman Gary Roberts as a sixth capture of the summer – and he’s made it clear another striker could also be on the cards.

The manager is also trying to arrange a behind-closed-doors friendly – possibly two – to add to the Sheffield United and Arsenal games at the Galpharm which form the club’s run-in to their centenary campaign.

Having lost to Scottish Premier side Hamilton Academical 2-1 on Saturday when Andy Booth scored, Ternent fielded an entirely different XI in yesterday’s 1-0 defeat to Hartlepool but, despite getting a fitness check on the whole squad, he was unhappy with performances.

“I have had a good look and given everybody a chance, but there’s a major overhaul I’m going to have to do,” said Ternent, who included trialist midfielder Tony Grant for the first time yesterday.

“We got a fitness workout in tropical conditions and there were pluses and minuses and a lot of things to work on, but we are not close to where I want us to be at this stage.

“It is about fitness at the moment and perhaps I’m being a bit too demanding, but they need to get more out of themselves – and it will happen one way or the other.

“They will either play for me or they will be down the road, because I haven’t got time to be hanging around.

“People paid good money to come and watch, even though it’s pre-season, and they want to see an effort, an endeavour and a commitment. Maybe it was channelled in the wrong direction, I’m not sure, but we will sort it out.”

Signings Jim Goodwin and Michael Flynn played part of both matches over the tournament – which was won by Hamilton, who beat Sunderland 2-1 in the final – and Ternent has now made his mind up about his best starting XI and further strengthening that needs to be done.

“It’s a great club, but the team has been mediocre mid-table and I’ve been brought in to change that,” he explained.

“I will do it one way or the other, so if players want to be part of it then jump on the train, if they don’t then clear off somewhere else and I’ll help you to do it.

“This is not personal, it’s business, and that’s the way it has to be. I’ve got a duty to the football club, I’ve got a duty to the fans, I’ve got a duty to my staff and I’ve got a duty to my family to make this work – and I will.

“Fitness wise it was okay; shapes and balances we’ve not really taught them about. But I feel I’ve been fair in having a look at everyone and I’ve now drawn conclusions from it.

“I needed to have a look at everyone and now I will pick what I consider my best team and we’ll crack on from there.”