We’ve got a very good squad together now and I have total confidence and belief in the lads, says Hollands & Blair boss Darren Blackburn

HOLLANDS & BLAIR manager Darren Blackburn says everyone at the club are pulling in the right direction as they bid to avoid relegation in a couple of months’ time.

 

The Gillingham based side remain in the bottom three in the Southern Counties East Football League with 13 points from 24 games.

Rusthall claimed their second league win of the season last weekend by beating AFC Croydon Athletic 3-2 at Jockey Farm and are four points behind Blackburn’s side but they have played a couple of games more.

Hollands & Blair claimed a 1-1 home draw against K Sports last weekend and Blackburn said:  “Last week was a far more complete performance over the 90 minutes against a side in K Sports, who rightly should be high in confidence following the majority of their results this season.

“It was nice to get a point on the board, which with a bit more luck on the day and a little more resilience could’ve been three.

“However, we’ve stopped the rot so to speak and given ourselves a platform to take into this week’s game and there’s no reason why the lads can’t put in another confident performance and take something from the game.”

Blackburn takes his side to Chislehurst tomorrow to play bottom-side side Glebe.

“Glebe are a very good side and they’re at home so I’m expecting another tough game,” said Blackburn.

“If we apply ourselves correctly over the 90 minutes then we can hurt any team with the players we have now.”

Hollands & Blair lost 3-1 at home to Bostik South East Division side Whitstable Town in a friendly in midweek.

“We had a very productive friendly against a strong Whitstable side on Tuesday night where we played some very good stuff in the first half and asked a few questions,” said Blackburn.

“I made 10 changes for the second half and although over the 90 minutes we did well, a couple of mistakes cost us what would’ve been a great result against that sort of quality opposition, so we have to take further confidence from that and make sure we take it into tomorrow’s game and start showing what we’re all about now.”

Looking forward to their last remaining 14 league games, Blackburn wants his side to start picking up points to secure their league status.

“The rebuilding process has gone on far longer than I’d anticipated due to a number of factors but the committee and sponsors have been a great support and everyone’s pulling in the same direction and understands the job that had to be done.

“We’ve got a very good squad together now and I have total confidence and belief in the lads. All they have to do for the remainder of the season is go out and play how I know they can and we’ll be a match for any team.”

Visit Hollands & Blair’s website: www.hollandsandblair.co.uk

Glebe  v  Hollands & Blair
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 23 February 2019
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Foxbury Avenue, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6SD