I believe that we can turn this around, insists Rusthall boss Paul McDonagh

RUSTHALL boss Paul McDonagh says he will turn things around following the club’s poor start to the season.

They find themselves in the bottom three in the Kent Invicta League table, with one win from their opening five games.

Rusthall crashed to a 4-1 home defeat to Crockenhill at Jockey Farm today and McDonagh said: “We have been struggling since the start of the season after the Courier Cup win (away to Tunbridge Wells).

“We have tried to work on defending and team shape but simple errors have been our Achilles heel so far.  That’s the story of today again.

“We have been guilty of allowing teams too much time on the ball and the Crockenhill side through Dan Beazant scored when we sat back and allowed a free shot.

“Interesting to see Dan Beazant playing in the Invicta League after last season he was with me in the Ryman League with Thamesmead!

“We got back in the game with some good tackling and pressing but couldn’t keep that going for anywhere long enough.

“Crockenhill’s third goal came from us allowing the ball to bounce three times in our area without a proper clearance.  I’m sorry, but any team will score if it bounces that many times!

McDonagh admits he is struggling in defence at the moment and would like to bring in reinforcements.

He said: “I am pleased with the younger players who have had to play more games at this level than they probably expected to. However, it’s a physical league at times and some of the lads are only sixteen years old.

“My converted central defenders have done a good job of playing in that role despite not being experienced in that position.

“However, nothing can beat the experience of a player that has played in that role for years.

“We are lacking an older head and even a younger player that has played centre half through youth level would do. I am hoping to sort this out as soon as possible.”

McDonagh, who takes his side to Sutton Athletic next Saturday, slammed the commitment from his players who are not as professional as the players he coached in the Ryman League Division One North with Thamesmead Town last season.

“There will also be a change of playing style coming up in the next few weeks as this way is clearly not working,” he admitted.

“I believe that we can turn this around and we will have to dig in and show more availability.  Some players will have to have a think about their commitment.  Since the start of the season five players have gone on holiday!  In my day you went away between June and July, not at the start of the season!”

Sutton Athletic lost their second league game of the season, going down 3-2 at league leaders Hollands & Blair today.  The Hextable outfit are in eighth-place in the Kent Invicta League table with two wins and a draw from their five outings this season.

Visit Rusthall’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/rusthallfootballclub

Sutton Athletic  v  Rusthall
Kent Invicta League
Saturday 8^th September 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Pavillion, Lower Road Sports Ground, Lower Road, Hextable, Kent BR8 7RZ