Men's football news
Written by: DanielL
Lewes FC men return to The Dripping Pan this weekend for a Saturday 3pm kick-off against Dulwich Hamlet.
The Rooks have been hard at work preparing to face a side that they defeated 4-1 at Champion Hill earlier in the Isthmian League Premier season.
At training this week, we caught up with first team manager Craig Nelson to discuss the recent defeat at Brentwood Town and the preparations for Dulwich, including the under-the-radar analytical work that takes place between games.
Q: Pitts, you’ve had a few days to digest the 2-1 defeat at Brentwood last Saturday. What are your reflections on that game and performance?
CN: “It was harsh because I feel we were in the game for large parts of it. We could have won it if a decision went our way – for me it was a clear handball on the line from one of their defenders.
“But we unfortunately made another mistake at the other end, which gave them a penalty and allowed them to take the lead.
“So it was disappointing, but I thought we competed a lot better than we have over the last few weeks. But we need to start turning those games into points.”
Q: After recent heavy defeats to the top two sides in the table, this was a much closer result against the side ranked third. What signs of encouragement were there?
CN: “Brentwood are a good side. They have good players and great momentum.
“So, the message to the boys was to go and disrupt what they want to do. I thought they did that for large parts of the game.
“Late in the game, Brentwood had chances to put the game to bed. But we’ve got to try and make sure that we make our chances count, because we had our fair share too.
“It’s the way it’s been going at the moment, but the momentum and the morale are still high. We just need to make sure we bring that onto the pitch to secure points.”
Q: The team trains twice a week, but what about the less visible preparations for a game? What does the analytical process look like?
“It’s relentless. It’s every day in between bar Sunday. That’s what the coaching team are here to do.
“We are constantly analysing the games to come. In training, we work in and out of possession on opposing days, to make sure they’re fit and ready to go for what they’re about to face.
“The good thing this week is that we go Saturday to Saturday, so we can put a bit more focus into the boys.
“But it’s not just about on-field training. It’s the time spent with the players, making sure they’re okay. What do they need? How are they feeling? To make sure they’re mentally prepared and focused.
“Any non-league manager will tell you that the unseen work is relentless, but that’s what we’re here to do.
“We’re here to try and allow the boys to put their best foot forward for Saturday. It’s no stone unturned.”
Q: Dulwich Hamlet will be out for revenge after we beat them at Champion Hill earlier in the season. What are you expecting from them this time around?
CN: “I went to watch them in the week. They’re a very good side. We won’t take anything lightly because they can cause anyone damage on their day.
“We need to make sure that, at home, we suppress that, and they understand they’re coming to our ground.
“Even though recently we haven’t been great in front of our own fans, we want to make sure that we turn that around and get back to where we weren’t conceding at home, taking the fight to the teams turning up here.
“We need to make sure that we take the battle personally.
“In training this week, we’ve had a lot of duels and mental toughness. They need to make sure they’re fit and fighting, ready to go for what they’re about to embark on this Saturday.”
Q: How important are the fans going to be this weekend?
CN: “They’re always important – at home and the ones that travel to away games.
“At the end of the day, we are here to make sure we give them something to get behind.
“I feel over the previous weeks they wouldn’t have felt like that. But they stand and stay with us in their numbers, which has been great to see.
“They will be the deciding factor in making The Dripping Pan not feel like a nice place to come for the opposition.
“Hopefully it will push the boys over the line to get three points.”