Funnell's looking for more consistency

After a 6-1 loss away to Littlehampton last Tuesday, Mussels suffered a 5-0 home reverse at the hands of high-flying Horsham in the Southern Combination League Premier Division on Saturday.

Prior to the two defeats, Shoreham had secured two impressive wins, over then leaders Newhaven and 8-0 against struggling St Francis Rangers.

A lack of consistency in his time in charge is concerning Funnell, who took over as Mussels boss in October, and he said: “The lack of consistency from us is a major concern for myself.

“We looked to be on for a good run after two straight wins over Newhaven and St Francis but now we are struggling again.

“We’ve conceded 11 goals and scored once in our last two games and that is not good enough.

“I looked around the dressing room after Saturday and those players have played at Ryman League level and they need to prove that.”

Mussels travel to Eastbourne United on Saturday, looking to bounce back.

Funnell said: “We are going there knowing a tough test awaits but I have every belief we can pick up a result.

“I just need the side that turned up and beat Newhaven to reproduce that level of performance week in, week out.

“I know Tobi Hutchinson, their manager, really well and it should be a good game.

“We need to try to take something, just to get that confidence back up again.”

Funnell believes his side need to build from the back and wants to see an improvement in defence.

He said: “Defensively, it has not been good enough in the last two games. To concede 11 times in the past 180 minutes is not good enough for any side.

“We have to build from the back and make sure teams find it hard to score against us. That is something we will be looking to improve in these upcoming games.

“It would be nice to come away from Saturday with a clean sheet and a win.”

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