ANDY MORRISON has questioned the desire of The New Saints’ players - the Connah’s Quay Nomads boss insisting that he has little respect for Sunday’s opponents.

Nomads - and to some extent Barry Town United - ran Saints close in the title race, Scott Ruscoe’s side eventually finishing 12 points clear at the summit.

Saints are now going in search of a domestic double as they tackle current Welsh Cup holders Nomads at Cefn Druids’ The Rock (2.45pm), but Morrison has hit out at his side’s rivals.

The Nomads boss believes the majority of Saints’ squad could - and should - be plying their trade at a higher level.

“Whatever is said and done we will take plaudits for getting closer to them and closing the gap, by making it a race that’s given people something to focus on,” said Morrison, who saw a much-changed Nomads lose 1-0 to TNS at Park Hall last Friday.

“But make no mistake, they are still way ahead of everybody else in this league.

“That’s not to say that I have any huge respect for what they do because, for me, there are a lot of players who should be playing at a lot higher level.

“They should be way above where they are playing now, but people are quite happy to play in their comfort zone and keep climbing Snowdonia every year when there are bigger mountains to climb.

“These boys are happy to stay at Park Hall and continue to do that, and who am I to judge anyone?

“I think it’s well known that talent has got nothing to do with how far you go in football, it’s about courage and how far you are willing to push yourself as a player.

“TNS have a lot of players who should be playing at a lot higher level, but it they are comfortable to stay here and keep climbing Snowdonia then good luck to them.”

Morrison also voiced his frustration at the venue of the final. The Rock will host the showpiece clash for the first time, but the Nomads boss believes that Saints have been given an unfair advantage.

Nomads’ Deeside Stadium is a grass pitch, while Saints’ eight-year dominance of the top-flight has been boosted by their 3G playing surface.

The powers that be have chosen The Rock’s 3G, much to Morrison’s disappointment.

“It’s a tough one for us to take,” he said. “Statistically, I think, since I came into the Welsh Premier League, I’ve probably played over 20 times on 3G against TNS and I’ve never beaten them.

“No team has beaten TNS more on grass than Andy Morrison teams, so the fact that we are going on to a 3G pitch for the final gives them an incredibly huge advantage.

“Why that decision was made without us having any say, I have no idea whatsoever.

“We’ve just got to take the decision on the chin, but it makes the task even tougher than what it should be.”

The likes of George Horan, Ryan Wignall and Danny Harrison are likely to return to the Nomads’ squad after missing out at Park Hall, while John Danby, Michael Wilde and Adam Barton are pushing for starting spots.