Manager Ray Turner admits it’s hard not to take Faversham Town’s struggles personally.

Lilywhites are 18th in Bostik South, 18 games into a season which has already seen Turner forced to reshape his squad after losing several key players.

The man who’s guided Town to the play-offs in three of the last five seasons is now faced with a different task and leaving his work at work is easier said than done.

Turner said: “You tend to hit quite a low so mentally, you’ve got to make sure you pull yourself out of that because your players are the ones that need to go and play for you.

“I’ve always felt they’re doing that for me if nothing else, even through the difficult times. I’m learning a lot. You try not to take it personally but you do.

“When I’m looking back, the plans and squad I had at the beginning of the season are nowhere near that through no fault of mine.

“You either turn your back and give up or you find some answers and I’m proud of what we’re doing this year.

“We’ve had some good times at the club but my first year was difficult and this year is proving to be very difficult.

“You find out about yourself and your players. The ones that weren’t so committed are not here any more but the ones that want to help the club through this period are here and they’re a pleasure to work with.”

Faversham, who beat East Grinstead 3-1 on Saturday, lost 3-0 to Hythe on Tuesday.
“We were beaten by the better team,” admitted Turner, who had to pick a team without centre-half Matt Bourne and striker Carl Rook.

“You could see the inexperience at times and the experience they’ve got. We’ve had a tough period with a lot of young lads that have played little senior football.

“We’re piecing together bits at the moment and when you’re doing that, you need your senior players like Rooky and Bourney, who were sorely missed.”

Both players return for the trip to Chipstead on Saturday but striker Liam King now faces a spell on the sidelines.

Turner said: “He works on the railways and he fell and twisted his knee. Until we can ascertain what that problem is, the diagnosis and treatment will have to wait.

“You get really hammered (by bad luck) at times. It is one thing after another and you find yourself constantly solving problems, which is never that easy.

“But it’s part of the game and you have to be strong enough to come through that.”