3rdnov05

Thursday 03rd November 2005

Burman bemoans inconsistency

Having played fifteen Southern League Division One East games, Dartford boss Tony Burman feels now is the time to assess their progress and admitted inconsistency from some of his players has put them into midtable when things could be much better, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts have collected 21 points from their games so far this season, winning and losing six games and will be looking to collect three points from third from bottom side Aveley at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

In an interview with www.dartfordfc.co.uk, Burman said: "Last Saturday we completed the first fifteen league games of the season. I feel this is a good time to assess our progress and look ahead to the next fifteen games to see what is expected.

"In this first period I feel we have gone through all the emotion that football brings to you.

"The highs of a good start, the lows of a poor run of results. The teams that we think we should beat but have not and the teams that we have played well against and deserved something from the game and come away with nothing.

"I think the squad of players we have put together have performed very well in the first period but to me when you get a new group of players and some young players the word consistency comes to mind.

"I think this has been our main problem in the first period of the season.

"If you look at the league table and they say it never lies. We are midtable and because of our inconsistency that's where we deserve to be.

"I hear you say what are you going to do about it? Well, I am not going to get rid of all players that I am working with. That's not my way but there are areas that need improving.

"Whether I can improve our existing players, which I think I can or try and persuade a player to join us and strengthen the squad I will do so.

"I am a great believer in keeping players off the pitch as I feel they will then be confident on it.

"This can take time especially with young players but again I'm not one for knocking players down when they have not been confident in one particular game.

"At the start of the season I hoped that we could consistently be in the top half of the league and to be fair to the players and with the fans support we have achieved this so far.

"Our next fifteen games will see us through the winter months with no doubt some horrendous conditions for playing football.

"I hope in the middle of February when these games are completed we are in touch with the leading pack.

"This is going to take a lot of hard work and I know there are going to be some ups and downs.

"I hope that I can install into the team that if we have a below par performance we must try and pick up a point or two from these games.

"Let's not forget its a marathon and not a sprint and there are exciting times ahead for the future of this club."

Dartford v Aveley
Southern League Division One East
Saturday 5th November 2005
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Stonebridge Road, Northfleet