Walker: I feel the pressure on these lads is sometimes too much

Clive Walker has hit back at the critics who are writing off Dover Athletic’s promotion chances, writes Justin Allen - www.doverathletic.com

Whites' 3-1 defeat against Cray Wanderers was their sixth reverse of the season - only top-of-the-table Ramsgate have lost fewer games - and leaves the club one place below the play-off zone.

Walker's team are still unbeaten at Crabble in the league this campaign - but their away form, and the amount of games drawn, has seen them stutter somewhat.

But boss Clive insists - although Tuesday's defeat, without Danny Chapman, Anthony Hogg, Tony Browne, James Dryden and Nicky Humphrey was a poor display by the standards he expects, his side can still snatch promotion.

He said: "I'm frustrated because we're up against it at the moment and have been for a while. There is such enormous pressure on us at Dover Athletic. It always seems to be that way at this club - but we can still get promoted.

"Anyone who writes us off now cannot surely be serious. I am not happy with our form, it upsets me, and what has been so frustrating is that fact we've had to deal with countless injury problems, fill in holes with young players and keep chopping and changing.

"I said at the backend of last season that any successful side is one that is settled and has experience. All the kids here have only played a handful of first-team games and when you're chasing things like promotion, and sticky spells come along, you need to count on experience and we've not had that. That has frustrated me so much.

"There's no doubt that we've some good young players at this club - but they're all used to relegation fights.

"Isn't it three relegations in four seasons at Dover Athletic? It's all about building confidence and I feel the pressure on these lads is sometimes too much.

"It doesn't help build players' confidence if they're being slated by the fans."

Renewed calls for Clive to be sacked by some fans were swiftly rejected by chairman Jim Parmenter on Tuesday night.

Clive - who has played at every division of the professional game, managed three times in the Football League and coached at several levels - admits he hates tough times like this.

But he will "tough it out" and work hard to turn the club's form around - and bid to grab one of the three promotion spots up for grabs that the fans, directors and players crave.

He said: "I've been here before. I think the pressure at Dover is greater than at most clubs in the non-league and especially at this level.

"You look at Kingstonian, another big non-league club that has dropped from the Conference to this level. They're eighth and their fans are happy. I think sometimes our supporters back teams fighting relegation better than they do a team bidding for promotion.

"When we won seven league games on the spin earlier in the season, some fans were criticising the team. I couldn't understand that one. It was surreal.

"It wasn't a fluke winning those seven matches in a row - but I had a settled side then. And we can win seven games in a row again, if I can get these players back in the side. Our first choice team can beat any side in this division, we've proved that, and we can prove it again."

As for talented Portuguese winger Jordao's situation at the club, Clive added: "The lad is in a very difficult situation. He doesn't have a car and is travelling down by train from East London. That means he doesn't get down to training in midweek and it's hard to play someone who we can't work with in the week. It is a problem because train times don't work too well for him."

Meanwhile, James Dryden is in contention to be on the subs bench for Saturday's trip to Lymington and New Milton.

The prolific Whites striker has completed intensive daily physiotherapy on his injured knee and returns to training tonight.

The prolific Whites striker has completed intensive daily physiotherapy on his injured knee and returns to training tonight.

Although it is touch-and-go whether he will be included among the substitutes for the trip to the New Forest, the fact he is in with a chance is a superb boost to Walker and his Dover team.

Dryden said: "I'm just so pleased to see light at the end of the tunnel. I'm gutted to have got my Dover career off to a bad start like this but now I just want to repay the fans, chairman and Clive. I'm raring to go.

"We're going to test the knee in training and then take it from there. I've got to build up fitness and I'm certainly targeting to return for the Met Police game at home a week Saturday. Although there is a chance of being on the bench this weekend.

"I want to get back into the team and help fire us out of this division. Dover Athletic deserve to be at a higher level and we've got to work our socks off to do it. We can achieve promotion, I'm confident of that, but we need to sort out our goalscoring problem. That's why I am here and, when fit, I will score goals."

Kevin Cooper's arrival from Met Police on Monday means Whites now have two in-form goalscorers at the club. Kevin's 19 goals this season makes him Ryman One's leading goalscorer. Jimmy has scored 21 goals this season, 19 of them in the Premier Division for Folkestone Invicta.

Now Dryden is challenging Cooper to a goalscoring competition, which he hopes can only benefit Whites in the run-in.

He said: "I am two ahead of him at the moment. Let's see which one of us ends up with the most goals this season. Winning is the most important thing but if the two of us can hit the net for Dover then that can only be good."

James reckons the biggest problem during the club's sticky spell has been the amount of games drawn and the lack of players getting forward. But he is confident of not only getting on the end of crosses and passes, he can carve out chances too.

He said: "Some of the lads perhaps haven't been brave enough in the box. Forwards and some of the other boys need to get right in there, which is what I like to do.

"It's good that we've gone out and signed another striker because that not only gives the club competition for places, it gives Clive more options."

The 25-year-old has urged fans to get behind Clive and the team as they enter the business end of the season.

He said: "Clive is a great manager and he's been so unlucky with injuries. Obviously, mine was a huge blow - and no-one can hold him responsible for that, or any of the other setbacks we've had to suffer. It really does have a major effect on a team's performances and form.

"I'm a Dover lad and want to get promoted. Everyone needs to pull together now - we should all be in this together, starting now until the end of the season. We need the fans' support, and need to work hard, and it will help us."