Langton: We didn't have a clue!

Thursday 22nd October 2009

ASHFORD TOWN assistant manager, Hugo Langton, let rip into his players following their embarrassing

5-1 defeat at Worthing in midweek, writes Stephen McCartney.

Joe Fuller, who has now scored four goals in the last three games, had netted a consolation goal after 61 minutes - with Ashford 5-0 down at the time - on a night to forget for the Nuts & Bolts.

The Homelands outfit are presently in eighteenth place in the Ryman League Division One South table, after bagging two wins and two draws from their opening ten games, and although the beleaguered outfit are only two points above the drop zone, Langton was quick to remind supporters the turmoil that the club faced during the summer.

But Langton, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk today, cannot forgive his players for their shocking defending down on the west Sussex coast on Tuesday night.

“This for us really was a game of two halves,” said Langton.

“First half we were not in the game, and I am not going to defend the players. There were some very questionable performances out there and defensively we didn’t have a clue!

“The Worthing players must have thought it was their birthdays and Christmas days all rolled in to one. They had 5 attempts at goal and scored 4 times.

“At half time we made a few changes and swapped a few players around positionally, and to be fair we dominated the second half and at times played some good stuff, but more importantly we defended much, much better.

“Hopefully the players will finally realise that you cannot go out to play and expect to stroll around, you have to work hard from the first whistle and do the basic things right.

“Worthing did the basic things well and scored 4 times in the first half. If you work hard you get your rewards.”

Langton and manager Steve Lovell had to rebuild their squad following a traumatic close season, where owner Don Crosbie was recovering from a heart attack and as a consequence, the club faced a troubled future.

“We're still playing catch up a little bit too, as I don't think people really know the rebuild job we have had to undertake,” explained Langton.

“We had 5 players turn up for the first day of pre season, 3 of whom were out of their depth, but believe me this is a challenge that both Steve and I are enjoying, as we know we're getting there and we will continue to do so.

“These are not excuses, these are facts. However, the club is now very stable off the pitch and we need to now focus on picking up some points.”

The under-pressure management team demand a positive reaction for the visit of eleventh placed side Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday.

Langton, as ever, has done his homework on the pacy south London side, and said, “I have seen them play a couple of times this season, and they are a good side. They have some technically excellent players, and they will fight tooth and nail for everything right up to that final whistle.

“We need to start off how we finished at Worthing, on the front foot and ensuring our work rate is high. You cannot relax for a minute in this division, as if you do you get punished.”

Lovell and Langton will asses their squad at training tonight, as they were without Paul Jones, Danny Lye, Ryan Briggs, Jamie Forshaw, Kevin Swaisland and goalkeeper Scott Chalmers-Stevens, who is still a month or two away from a return.

“I think Jonah (Jones) will have a chance and Jamie should be available again,” added Langton.

Visit Ashford Town’s website: www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

Ashford Town v Dulwich Hamlet

Ryman League Division One South

Saturday 24th October 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ