Dover must respond do the pressure

CLIVE Walker was furious with the way Whites defended against top-of-the-table Yeading last Saturday, writes Justin Allen.

The Dover Athletic boss concedes it is the first time his side's defence have let him down but insists: It's still not good enough."

All three goals were soft, according to Walker, and that is something Whites can ill-afford, especially against a good side like Yeading.

He said: "I'm disappointed with the way we defended. To allow them one-on-ones is just not good enough. I was very angry and told the players so.

"But, to be fair to the lads, they've fought very hard over the last month and I've been delighted with the way they've responded.

"We obviously lost Jude Stirling the day before the game, but we cannot use that as an excuse. His absence didn't really make a difference. We've got players here at the club who can do the job that he was doing so I won't be losing any sleep over it.

"Yeading were a better side than us. You have to hold your hands up and admit that. But we could have got a point out of the game, if we defended better. They were effective in the final third and against sides like that you have to keep your concentration levels up. We didn't do that.

"I thought we got caught flat-footed and that's something that is not acceptable. It has cost us and we cannot afford to drop points now.

"We now have Cheshunt and Folkestone at home and need six points from those games. The pressure is now on us and the lads have got to respond to that. The last seven matches are all huge games now, all cup finals. We've got to roll our sleeves up and fight."

The former Chatham Town boss said he is unlikely to be signing any players before the end of the season. He said: "There's not much point bringing players in for the sake of it. We've only got seven games left and, as I said the other week, bringing someone in may just unsettle things.

"Unless anyone stands out and is going to improve what we have here, there's not much point."

The Dover boss said London-based players are still an option for the club next season but he is more likely to concentrate his efforts on signing Kent-based players.

He said: "Kent lads are more likely to care when Dover get beat. It will mean more to them, than someone living in Hertfordshire. But that's, of course, not the case with every player. There are some from outside the county who would care passionately. I speak in general terms."

Walker will be sitting down with chairman Jim Parmenter this week to discuss players he wants to retain for next season, as well as identify some of his summer targets.

The Dover boss said: "I know who I want but they are all playing for other clubs at the moment, so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to talk about them."


Ryman League Premier Division (bottom six)

Dover Athletic v Cheshunt
Ryman League Premier Division
Saturday 19th March 2005
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Hoverspeed Stadium, Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, River, Dover

www.doverathletic.com