I'm not putting any pressure on the lads', says Fisher boss Steve Firkins

FISHER boss Steve Firkins says he will be without three players for their opening Kent Hurlimann Football League game of the season.

Firkins takes his side to Culverden Stadium to lock horns with Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, without the suspended Stefan Dixon, Rob Depeazer and Sean Brown.

Fisher will train tonight and Thursday night ahead of their opening game and Firkins is looking forward to it.

He said: “I’ve got to get my head round a squad to take to Tunbridge Wells.  I’ve got three suspensions kicking in.  Stefan Dixon, who has only just come back of holiday, he’s got one from last year.  Sean Brown has got a two match suspension and I think Rob Depeazer has got a suspension kicking in as well, so three of them have outstanding suspensions from last year.”

Martin Larkins' Tunbridge Wells finished fifth in the Kent League last season – their best finish since winning the title back in 1985.

Firkins added:  “I haven’t really looked at Tunbridge Wells.  Knowing Martin he’ll have a good, strong side. They obviously want to start off well in their first game at home.  We’re expecting a tough game.”

Fisher then lock horns with Tony Russell’s Erith Town at Champion Hill next Monday evening. The Dockers finished in fourth place last term.

Firkins added: “I’d like a good result.  I’m going to concentrate on Erith after the Tunbridge Wells game.

“Erith will take care of itself when we come to that.

“We’re starting against two teams who finished quite well last year.  Both sides finished well so they will be tough games for us so it gives me a good marker how good we are.

In fact Fisher’s first five league opponents all finished higher than them last season – Corinthian (seventh), Beckenham Town (sixth) and last season’s runners-up, Erith & Belvedere.

Firkins, who led the club to tenth-place in his first season in charge of the club, said: “It’s a good test for us. We’re a new side again. Obviously we’ve got a few of the lads who have stayed with the club like Dan Firkins, Adam Wadmore, Richie Monan, Danny Taylor and Steve O’Donnell, so we’ve got a core of players there and there’s young lads who have come in and keen and willing and that’s all you can ask for them.”

When asked what his aspirations are for the season ahead, the Fisher boss replied, “I don’t know.  Like I said the other week, all I want to do is, I’ve got no expectations of the team whatsoever.  We’re technically a young side.  All we want to do is try to perform and equip ourselves well in every game and that’s all I can ask. That’s what I’ve said to the lads.  If they can go out and play like we did against Hendon last night every week and show that sort of commitment then we’ll be alright.

“I’m not putting any pressure on the lads. Obviously we’ll like to finish higher than we did as long as we ain’t bottom that’s good enough for me.”

Meanwhile, Fisher’s Academy side will play their home Ryman Youth League games at Holmesdale’s Oakley Road ground in Bromley.
 
Visit Fisher’s website: www.fisherfc.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells  v  Fisher
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Saturday 4^th August 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Culverden Stadium, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SG