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More work to be done says Dartford FC joint-manager Jamie Coyle

Dartford joint-boss Jamie Coyle has admitted that they still have plenty of work to do.

The Darts are just three points outside the National League South play-off places and travel to Oxford City in the FA Cup third qualifying round this weekend.

But they struggled to defeat bottom club Weston on Saturday and have chopped and changed their squad since the start of the season.

Jamie Coyle with joint-manager Adam Flanagan Picture: Sean Aidan
Jamie Coyle with joint-manager Adam Flanagan Picture: Sean Aidan

“Are we really happy with the way we performed? No we’re not but it’s three points on the board,” reflected Coyle on the win over Weston.

“We’ve still got so much work to do. We’re having to bring new players in to improve what’s gone on so far.

“It’s always going to take time but we’re 12 games into the season now and we need to start putting a run of decent performances together.

“A game like Weston we should have upped it after going 1-0 up and made the game more comfortable for ourselves. There’s some aspects that I’m really pleased with but there’s some bits that we still need to improve on.

“We can talk about luck all the time with regards to Andy Pugh breaking his leg, then Callum Driver being ruled out for six weeks and we have to bring a right-back in on loan.

“We’ve had to juggle the pack and we’ve been forced into that really. It’s frustrating because there’s nothing better than putting the same team out for a run of games because you get that chemistry from the 11 that start.

“We’ve got to work with what we’ve got and we’ll get it right. We’re four games unbeaten now and we’ve got to take the positives.”

Darts have brought in two loan players from Maidstone in the past week. Jordan Wynter made his debut against Weston after signing on loan for a month while wideman Andre Coker agreed a three-month loan move at the start of this week.

Dartford get forward against Weston-super-Mare Picture: Sean Aidan
Dartford get forward against Weston-super-Mare Picture: Sean Aidan

Wynter adds pace to the defence while Coker was drafted in after Colchester recalled Tom Knowles from his loan spell.

“At times this year we’ve struggled (playing against) pace up front and Jordan is a mobile centre-half,” said Coyle.

“He has a great background, he had a squad number at Arsenal and did well in the league above for the past three seasons.

“It’s healthy competition and the good thing is he can step into midfield. He is comfortable on the ball and it’s only going to be a positive for us moving forward.

“Andre offers something different, he’s really quick and tricky. He always seems to come up with an end product, whether it’s a cross or a shot.”

Billy Roast has been released while Charlie Sheringham is available for Saturday’s tie at fellow National League South side Oxford City.

“It’s a tough pitch, it’s one of the worse 3G pitches I’ve ever played on, last season it was horrendous,” said Coyle. “It’s going to be a tough game.

“The draw could have been kinder but it’s a game if we turn up and apply ourselves then we should be in the hat for the next round.”

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