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Dartford 1
1
Rooney (31')
0 Tonbridge Angels
0

Jay's Friday Briefing

After going out of the FA Cup what better a game to put it right than Dartford-away.

The Darts have won two of their nine games this season and sit a point below us.

Manager Jay Saunders explained there has already been a response to last week's cup exit:

He said:  "We had a really good week, we had a really good meeting before training on Tuesday.  It wasn't a crisis meeting, it was just a meeting to talk about a few things.  Sometimes after a game things are said and it's not always the best time, so I thought it was a good time to go through a few things.  

"After that, I thought the boys responded really well at training yesterday.  It's now an opportunity to go into a big game, a Kent derby, and try and right some wrongs."

With Dartford struggling, how much does that change the importance of the game.  Is it a good time to play Dartford?  

Jay explained:  "For both sides it's a big game.  For them they'll probably be more concerned because they finished second in the league and were up there all the way last year.  For us, we're out of the cup and it's not the start we wanted, but compared to last year I don't think we're that far off points wise to where we were this time last year, and we went on to have a good season.  That's not to say we're not disappointed because I'd like us to have done better and I think some of those games we should have taken more points than we've got.

"It's never an easy place to go and whatever team Dows puts out it'll be a hard game.  They're a good side, he's a good manager, I'm sure they'll be picking up results soon as I'm sure we will."

After the game last week Jay indicated there would be changes to his squad.  He confirmed there probably will be, but not yet.

He said:  "Ibby (Akanbi) left.  I won't name names but two others have been made available and are speaking to other clubs.  After the weekend we've got one coming in who's a done deal, that'll happen next week, and we're speaking to others.  But they have to be right.  There's no point in letting people out if we bring people in who are the same level.  They have to improve the side."

Finally on team news, it's looking like it could be a full squad to choose from:

"Gardy trained last night so he's in the squad.  Whether he starts we'll have to see.  That's a big plus to have back in the squad."

Published Friday 22nd September 2023