Hessenthaler demands character from his team

Sunday 25th October 2009

DOVER ATHLETIC boss Andy Hessenthaler is searching for characters within his side as he comes to terms to losing back-to-back games for the first time in over two years at the club, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Whites, who surrendered their unbeaten home record by losing to Basingstoke Town last Tuesday, put in another poor display as Eastleigh booked their place in the first round of the FA Cup for the very first time, with a 5-3 win at Crabble yesterday.

Goals from Olly Schulz, Lee Browning and an injury-time Adam Birchall penalty, proved in vain as Hampshire side Eastleigh will go in this afternoon’s first round draw.

Hessenthaler was a bitterly disappointed figure, as he faced the local media following yesterday’s lacklustre performance.

And he demands better from his side when full-time Woking visit Crabble on Tuesday night.

Woking join Eastleigh in today’s first round draw as they brushed aside Hendon 5-0 at Vale Farm - goals coming from players that played for Kent sides last season. Giuseppe Sole (ex-Ebbsfleet) netted a brace and former Welling United’s Harry Arter scored a hat-trick against the Ryman Premier League side.

“They’re favourites to win this game on Tuesday night aren’t they, the way that we‘re playing,” Hessenthaler told www.kentishfootball.co.uk during his nine-and-a-half minute press conference yesterday.

“They’ve just come down from the Conference Premier, they’re a full-time side and we’re two nights a week, so it’s going to be tough for us on Tuesday.

“When you’re in a little bit of a rut, that we are for the last two games, it makes it even tougher. Like I say, you now need characters and I’ll pick a team of characters.”

Hessenthaler, who was sent-off in the 81st minute yesterday, after only coming on as a substitute six minutes earlier, revealed that he may name himself in the starting eleven against the Cards.

“There’s every chance because you need to start having people that wear their heart on their sleeves a little bit and get out there and get amongst people,” said the 44-year-old.

“Forget about the sending off,” he added. “It was a good tackle, simple as that! The referee made a mistake.

“We need characters that’s something that I’ve got. I think we need that in the next few weeks. I think I need to get out there and start playing again.”

Hessenthaler says his hands are tied when it comes to bringing in new players.

“Give me some money and then I’ll make some changes,” said Hessenthaler. “We’ve done our budget, that’s it! Simple as that!

“It’s alright people saying go out and get some more players. We may have to shake it up and maybe have to move a few on to bring players in but we’ve done our budget.

“We’ve got to work with this group. This group got us to second in the table so we’ve got to take a lot of positives as well.

“As much as it’s very negative as we’ve had two losses, this is where you need to have your real characters in. This is where you need your real winners. I’ve got to find them within this group.”

UPDATE:
Dover Athletic are pleased to confirm that their home game against Woking will NOT now be segregated, following an update to intelligence information. The fixture against Newport County (7^th November) will still be segregated.

Visit Dover Athletic’s websites: www.doverathletic.com & www.dafctv.co.uk

Dover Athletic v Woking

Blue Square South

Tuesday 27th October 2009

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB