I want my players to run through brick walls for me, says Lordswood boss Richard Styles

LORDSWOOD manager Richard Styles couldn’t hide his disappointment after losing the local derby to Hollands & Blair last weekend.

 

“We lost 3-0, which was a disappointing result for us because we felt both before and after the game that we could’ve got something from the match,” said Styles.

“Two defensive errors from corners made it 2-0 after 55 minutes and then we had a spell where the boys’ played some good football. We created a couple of chances bringing their goalkeeper into making saves. Had one of those gone in, I feel it would have been a different game.

“I felt defensively, again, we played well and managed to keep James McDonald and Gary Lockyer very quiet throughout the game and limited the chances he had, which we identified before the game.

“I was disappointed at half-time because we hadn’t done anything that was mentioned before the game. We aimed and set-up to play and pass the ball, hitting feet and I felt this was the best way to play against Hollands & Blair, considering their game plan and the conditions of weather and pitch, etc.

“The boys didn’t do what was instructed, which hurt me and disappointed me because my players are there to play in my system.,  If it goes wrong then I’ll hold my hands up for getting it wrong, but if the players’ choose to ignore instructions given to them then they take responsibility for underperforming and questions will be raised as to whether they will play for me or the club.

“This was the case on Saturday. We battled well and defended more solid, harder to beat, but on the ball the boys’ didn’t do what was asked for them.  This was addressed at half-time and the second half was better after 55 minutes, but still not up to the level I expect.

“Had the goals from corners not happened then it could so easily have been a 0-0 bore draw, which I would have taken before the game if I was offered it.

“It’s never easy to take losing, or even losing a local derby, but we are moving forward as a side and the last two performances have been better than previous, so we’re moving forward in the bigger picture.

“The lads set the bar against Crowborough and that is the minimum I expect week-in-week-out now and they know that!

Styles takes his side to seventh-placed Cray Valley on Saturday, on the back of four straight losses.

“We have trained and prepared well for the game ahead. I am not expecting an easy game but no game is an easy game in this league. We know how we are going to set-up and are just waiting for Saturday to come around so the boys’ can put in a performance.

“The lads know what is expected of them and they also know that if they perform then we have a chance of getting something from the game.
 
“It’s up to them to prepare right and run through brick walls for me on Saturday.”

Visit Lordswood’s website: www.lordswoodfc.co.uk

Cray Valley (Paper Mills)  v  Lordswood
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 19^th November 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
at DSG Marine Stadium, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, London SE9 5HP