We must live up to expectations, says Burman

Dartford manager Tony Burman, who saw his side slip outside the play-off’s earlier in the week, calls for character from his players during their last three league games, writes Stephen McCartney.

Darts dropped to seventh in the table - just one point outside the Ryman League Division One South play-off’s - following their disastrous Easter period.

A 1-1 draw at Kingstonian was followed by a shock 3-1 home defeat to neighbours Chatham Town, a result that maintained the Chats’ Ryman League status.

The Darts must win their last three games, starting with their trip to second placed side Hastings United tomorrow.

“We have a very tough away game against Hastings, with both teams needed three points,” Burman said in his notes on www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk.

“This week has been a long week after the poor result last Monday and especially when you sit back and try to asses the decisions that were made, rightly or wrongly, it doesn’t get any better.

“As much as we would like, I cannot turn the clock back, so we must move on.”

Burman took his frustrations out in training this week, as he prepares his side for a must-win clash on the east Sussex coast.

Hastings United are just one point behind Maidstone United, who travel to Metropolitan Police.

“Sometimes, there’s nothing better than a good training session,” he said. “I must admit I did shout at a few, kicked even more but I was on the winning side in the five-a-sides - but my problem is I can hardly walk this morning!

Burman said: “At the start of the season I said that I would like to improve on anything that we achieved last season. On the whole I think we have achieved this.

“We all realise that since the move to Princes Park, the expectations for Dartford was going to rise and this must continue to rise each year in the future.

“We have been in the top five all season and we have accumulated more points than last season, which is a credit to the players and everybody involved with the club.

“We are all going to have to show a tremendous amount of character starting tomorrow to try and sustain our push for a play-off position.

“At this crucial time I feel it’s about sticking together as a club on and off the field - let’s give it our all and hope for the best.”

Visit Dartford’s websites:

www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk/forum

Hastings United v Dartford
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 14^th April 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Pilot Field, Elphinstone Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 2AX