We've got an important month coming up, says Burman

Monday 21st December 2009

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman is preparing his squad for the rigours of a busy schedule ahead, writes Stephen McCartney.

Not only have the table-topping Darts have three games over the festive period, Burman, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight says his side must get through eight games next month.

The Darts welcome Ian Jenkins’ Cray Wanderers to Princes Park on Saturday (1pm), before making the trip to bleak Canvey Island the following Tuesday, before travelling to Hayes Lane for the return fixture with the Wands on 2 January.

“It’s an important period, the Christmas period,” said Burman. “We usually say if you’re involved there or there abouts in the top five or six, maybe seven at Christmas, then you’re doing alright.

“We’re in a fortunate position that we are at the top at the moment in time and we want to stay there and that’s what we want to do.

“It’s going to be a difficult game, which they all are in this league. Team like Cray, who have been promoted last year, will find it difficult, like we did last year.

“They’ve been on a strange run and then they went to win three games on the trot thinking they’ve got things right and then they go and lose two games all off a sudden.

“That’s exactly what was happening to us last year. It’s a learning curve for them and I’m sure they want to get one over on us and I’m looking for three points from them.”

Burman then takes his side to windy Canvey Island.

“We’ve been to Canvey Island and been reasonably successful when we’ve gone there,” he recalled.

“I’ve watched them a couple of times and know it’s going to be a tough game. We’ve got to go and try and get three points like we normally do.”

Burman’s side, however, are still sitting proudly at the summit of the Ryman Premier League table - eight points clear of Hastings United with four games in hand on Tony Dolby’s side.

“I would have taken that at the start of the season,” said Burman on his club’s position at the top of the table after 17 games.

“We’ve had a fantastic start to the season, which has propelled us with our points and things like that.

“We haven’t played ever so well for the last month but we’ve picked up some points, which is good and other teams around us haven’t picked up points when they thought they might when we haven’t played.

“It’s a good position to be in and it helps us have a platform for us to attack the next stage of the season.”

Burman added: “We’ve got an important month coming up now. With the postponements we’ve got eight games in January and January and February are two difficult months.

“Players have got to get used to playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday during those months and it’s going to be tough.

“We’ve got to get the squad right. We’ve had a few injuries in the last month and the injuries and suspensions do take their toll.”

Burman would have been without James White, Lee Burns and Billy Burgess for their postponed match at Wealdstone last weekend.

The Darts boss added: “If there’s anything good that comes from a game being postponed are players can clear up their injuries.

“Elliot Bradbrook has started jogging and by the middle of January he may start to be looking to start his first game so he’s not missing loads of games at the moment and if I can get him back with half a season left to go that would be fantastic.”

Visit Dartford’s websites: www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

Visit Cray Wanderers’ website: www.craywands.co.uk

Dartford v Cray Wanderers

Ryman Premier League

Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December 2009

Kick Off 1:00pm

At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT