The wheels are already in motion in planning for next season, says Lordswood boss Richard Styles

LORDSWOOD manager Richard Styles says he is already planning for next season after failing to be in with a shout of promotion this season.

The club are in thirteenth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 29 points from 20 games – 21 points adrift of leaders Fisher with 18 games remaining.

Lordswood host Erith Town tomorrow, a side that are one place lower than them with two fewer points, on a run of five games without a win.

“Both sides are really going into the game needing the win, based on the league table,” admits Styles.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game but we need to make sure we’re firing on all cylinders and set-up in a way to give us the best chance to win the game.”

Since beating struggling Rusthall 4-0 at Jockey Farm on 15 December, Lordswood have failed to beat Tunbridge Wells (3-4); Chatham Town (0-2); Sheppey United (3-3); Cray Valley (2-3, after extra time in the Challenge Cup) and they lost 2-0 at home to title-chasing Beckenham Town last weekend.

“We have been a little unfortunate in recent weeks, which has been very frustrating,” added Styles.

“We have played some top and in form teams in the division but unfortunate not to get better results than we have had.

“The Tunbridge Wells game at home could’ve gone either way and we lost 4-3.  Chatham Town was a bit of a stalemate and could’ve ended 0-0. We drew Sheppey 3-3 and we could’ve won it and finally we lost 2-0 to Beckenham, last week, another game we could’ve won 1-0 or drew 0-0.

“On all occasions we have had ourselves to blame with mistakes and this is something we’ve really worked hard and drilled into the boys ahead of upcoming matches that these need to stop!

“I trust players to make decisions, they’re human semi-professional footballers and will make mistakes from time to time but we quite simply cannot afford to continue making the ones we have been.

“Players need to learn from the experience, improve and grow to improve as players.

“On the other hand to this, we know we are not far away. We’re creating chances and we’re not playing badly. This is the positive and we know it’s a matter of time until our fortunes turn around.

“We know what we need to do and continue working hard to the plan and it will be fine.

“I’ve said many times, the league table doesn’t lie and we’re there because we haven’t put points on the board but I don’t believe it is a fair reflection on us as a team and I feel we should be higher in the league!”

Lordswood have lost the services of Jason Hollick this week due to enforced retirement.

“We’ve had Jason retire this week due to injury, work and family reasons, which is a loss but at the same time we respect his decision and I appreciate everything he has given me and the club,” said Styles.

“The wheels are already in motion in planning for next season with the club both on and off the pitch.  The aim remains to reach as high as we can in the league table for the remainder of this campaign, while at the same time looking to build and plan for next season.” 

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

Lordswood  v  Erith Town
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 19 January 2019
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Martyn Grove, North Dane Way, Walderslade, Chatham, Kent ME5 8YE