I'm in charge of the whole Lott for now, says Cumberbatch - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Cumberbatch has revealed that Tim Thorogood, whose moved upstairs as director of football and retains his role as chairman, will not be in the technical area but the pair will discuss footballing matters at the Homelands on a regular basis.

“There will be a different slant on one or two things,” Cumberbatch revealed EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of their Kent derby.

“I will certainly be more relaxed as Tim as I don’t have the same pressures as Tim who finances the team.

“At the same time it doesn’t mean I’m not under pressure because Tim and the fans will want to see a very quick change to results for me to continue.

“Tim will not be involved in the technical area at all although he and I will still be discussing football matters closely.

“Hopefully the team will hopefully play in a slightly more relaxed manner but they also know, as well as management, certain individuals have not performed as what’s expected of them and I know the players are determined to put that right.”

Cumberbatch will only have physio Mo Alvi and his five substitutes for company in the away dug-out as appointing an assistant manager is currently on the back burner.

“At this stage there are other issues that have to be addressed immediately,” said Cumberbatch. “There are issues relating to the budget that Tim and I are discussing.

“It got to a stage where Tim was nether enjoying managing or felt he was working effectively and it was effecting his business and private life.”

Ashford’s home game against Horsham YMCA on Saturday fell victim - like many others - to a waterlogged pitch.

After their trip to Bourne Park, they travel to another Kent side, Chatham Town next Saturday before welcoming Leatherhead to the Homelands next Tuesday, 5^th December.

“I would have preferred my first game to be against Horsham on Saturday because I would prefer a home fixture,” said Cumberbatch.

“The boys were still fired up from the result on Tuesday night against Corinthian Casuals because not only that we got a good result, the side played very well.

“Tuesday evening fixtures, especially like a place like Sittingbourne, can sometimes be a lottery because you’ve got players trying to get back from work with traffic and trains to contend with and so it’s not always easy,” said the Orpington based manager.

“Also Sittingbourne will be eager to get the points because this was the match they were leading 2-0 and was abandoned due to a floodlight failure.”

Cumberbatch aims to keep the same starting eleven that defeated Corinthian Casuals 3-0 seven days ago, with Anthony Allman and new boy Lott, whose just come back from injury, taking places on the substitutes bench.

The manager explained why he’s brought Lott to the Homelands.

“Because he’s a similar player to Gary Clarke,” he said. “In that he tends to break things down and at the moment it’s something we surely miss.”

Visit club websites:

www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

Sittingbourne v Ashford Town
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 28^th November 2006
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB