Consistency will be key as Hornets start to climb

Horsham manager Dominic Di Paola has called for more consistency from all his players over the whole duration of matches.

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Football, Ryman League South Division: Horsham v Chipstead. Darren Boswell. Pic Steve Robards  SR1626416 SUS-161209-114147001Football, Ryman League South Division: Horsham v Chipstead. Darren Boswell. Pic Steve Robards  SR1626416 SUS-161209-114147001
Football, Ryman League South Division: Horsham v Chipstead. Darren Boswell. Pic Steve Robards SR1626416 SUS-161209-114147001

This comes following a mixed week of results during which they lost 3-2 to Sittingbourne on Saturday but then won 2-1 at local rivals Three Bridges on Tuesday night.

They have climbed up to 13th in the Ryman League South Division with nine points from their opening ten games.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Di Paola explained: “In different games I don’t think we’ve had a complete performance where all 11 players are playing to their best. If we get that then I think we’ll be a really good side.

“Because we keep changing the team it is difficult to get the familiarity. Pairings such as centre backs should play together so you can get more understanding, but we haven’t been able to do that due to injuries.

“At the beginning of the season we didn’t have any game-changers. I am happier with the squad now - we are to about 16 players.

“To be able to bring on Tony (Nwachukwu) for the last half hour and people like Scotty Harris - we didn’t have any options, so that’s pleasing.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Horsham boss has revealed how tough it is playing in the Ryman League with their busy schedule.

He added: It’s a bit of a slog. It’s a tough league. When you are playing Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, you don’t have a lot of time to work on things.

“On Thursday when you’ve got knocks and you have to ease people, you don’t get a lot of time for training.

“We’ve just to keep getting the points we can and bouncing back from the set-backs, that’s the key.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“As soon as you switch off or let your guard down you get punished in this league and we’ve been punished a lot this season so far for things we are doing wrong.

“As a team we’ve got to be better at managing the game. At the end against Three Bridges we got nervous.

“Well there’s no need to get nervous. We’ve got good footballers, experienced players, we just need to have that belief we can win games.”

Terry Dodd is ruled out of Saturday’s home game against eighth-placed Walton Casuals due to suspension while Darren Boswell will not be available through a hamstring injury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Di Paola revealed: “Walton Casuals are a good side - we haven’t played anyone in this league who have been poor.

“Godalming were getting thumped but they’ve sacked their manager, so they will probably improve.

“Every game is going to tough and you’ve got to be right up for it.

“If you can get two or three wins on the spin, then the confidence increases and you can do good things. But it’s easier said than done.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Related topics: