Hessenthaler wants home form to get back on track

Thursday 05th November 2009

DOVER ATHLETIC boss Andy Hessenthaler says he wants his troops to make Crabble a fortress again - after Basingstoke, Woking and Eastleigh have breeched defences, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Whites have lost their last three home games and Hessenthaler, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk , today wants his side to secure the win over Newport County on Saturday - a top-of-the-table clash between two good footballing sides.

The Kent side will return to the summit of the Blue Square South table with a win over Dean Holdsworth’s men.

“It is a big game,” said the 44-year-old. “They’re obviously going really well at the top of the league, we’re second and we’ve had a good start to the season and it all bodes well to be a really good football match.

“They’re a good footballing side and so are we so hopefully it will be a really entertaining game. It should be a good crowd and we need to get our home form back on track as we’ve had a bit of a rough time at home over the last week or so.

“We’ve had them watched and they do like to play the ball on the floor, like we do, so it should be an entertaining game.”

The Welsh club will go five points clear at the top of the table if they win in Kent on Saturday - but Hessenthaler knows the title will not be won or lost in his side’s 17 league game of the season.

“Nothing’s won or lost whatever happens on Saturday,” said Hessenthaler. “If they win there’s still a long way to go with a lot of football and a lot more games to be played. We’re not up to Christmas yet are we so if we win then they’ll be saying the same.

“I’ve known Dean Holdsworth, played against him, played with his brother David (at Watford), whose the manager at Mansfield.

“Dean has played at the highest level and has got them playing the right way and he’s assembled a really good squad and doing a really good job and playing the right way.

“It’s going to be a good test for us because I’m sure they will know our frailties that we’ve had a little bit at home over the last few games.

“They would have had us watched so they will know what they’ve got to do when they come to the Crabble.

“Hopefully we’ve put that behind us now with the result (a 3-1 away win at Dorchester Town) at the weekend and we can get back to our old ways at home because our home form up until a week or so ago has been really good.”

The Crabble faithful have been disappointed with performances over the past few weeks - even games that they have won - but Hessenthaler and his side have to live up to high expectations.

“I think the expectation levels are high and we have to be realistic and I’ve tried to put that across to the players and the fans,” said the boss.

“You have to be realistic, it’s not going to be easy. We’ve had two promotions in a row and we’re second in the table in Conference South and I would certainly have taken that at the start of the season if someone had asked me that.

“When we do have a blip it does seem like it’s the end of the world and you can end up being a victim of your own success.

“It can go against us a little bit as players do get nervous and a bit frustrated and they’re disappointed with certain reactions from fans. Personally they don’t deserve it but it can affect them, it does affect players confidence.

“People have to be realistic that it’s not going to be easy this year. It’s proven already it’s harder to win games. People do their homework and teams come to Crabble and make it very difficult for us.”

Hessenthaler admits that his side came up short against a Woking side that are the only full-time side in the division.

“Woking was a reality check to people as they’re the best side we’ve played,” he said. “They’re full-time and it proved that.

“We’re a good side but we’re not there yet but we know what we’ve got to do and hopefully we can get our poor form at home behind us at the weekend.”

Midfield playmaker, Jon Wallis (hamstring) is another couple of weeks away from fitness, and central defender, Olly Schulz (hip) have been ruled out.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game, with Paul Parkinson reporting.

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

Dover Athletic v Newport County

Blue Square South

Saturday 7th November 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

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