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Dover Athletic manager Andy Hessenthaler questions himself and his players after 5-1 loss to Woking

Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler was hurting after a heavy defeat to Woking and will have the players in for extra training today.

Hessenthaler was left questioning his players and his own summer recruitment after a 5-1 home loss left them sitting second bottom in the National League but he’s willing to put in the hours to turn things around.

Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler will have his players in for extra training after a heavy defeat to Woking Picture: Alan Langley
Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler will have his players in for extra training after a heavy defeat to Woking Picture: Alan Langley

He said: “I am just hurt because we lost the game and I am hoping the players feel the same because they should be. We have had too many days off, we looked unfit, we need to be fitter and fitter mentally. Let’s get in and train and let’s not have any days off.

“I am left questioning myself. I brought the group in. Let’s not hide behind the situation in the summer, it has been tough, financially it is tough, but come on, it’s 11 versus 11, we should be winning that game, simple as that.”

Steven Rigg’s early goal had put Dover infront but Woking were 3-1 ahead at the break and added two more after the turnaround. All five goals came from crosses into the box.

Hessenthaler felt let down by some players who should know better.

“We started pretty well,” he said. “But from a simple cross an experienced centre back was caught ball watching and not marking his man in the middle of the box and the lad from Charlton (Josh Davison) is scoring a few goals.

"We had done our homework on them, on their strengths and weaknesses and we prepared right, but we didn’t defend from a cross.

“Second goal, it’s Ade Azeez’s man, it’s marked up on the board in the changing room. Kane Ferdinand is a danger and Ade is a big lad but he lets him score and then lets him score again.

“It’s three poor goals. They are terrible goals. We have given them three goals. Can you stop the cross? Can you pick the centre forward up? Because that is your job. From the bench we can see that the lad (for the first goal) is on his own and Will (De Havilland) has just not marked him. He has held his hands up but we expect better from someone like that.

“Ade is experienced enough, a big strong lad. Be aggressive and make sure the player you have been designated to mark doesn’t get infront of you, make sure he doesn’t get above you, make it difficult for them.

“We gave silly fouls away to give them that opportunity as well. Then another experienced player (Oscar Gobern) showed poor discipline and gets sent off. He has let us down, I told him that. It’s not good enough.

“We’re all accountable and we will be in Wednesday, we have to get it right. We have to stop the rot now otherwise it will be a long season.

“I am questioning are they good enough (as players) and are we good enough as a management team because we brought them in? Are they good enough to keep us up? If we carry on the way we are the answer is no, simple.

“We have to address it, we have to improve, we need to get on the training ground and stop giving silly goals away and find a bit of belief.

"They are a great bunch of lads, but I can’t keep defending them, not after that performance. We can't keep producing that.

"It was just not good enough from everyone concerned and we have to work harder now as a management team to turn this around. We need to find some confidence. I would love to give them a day off on Wednesday (today) but I wouldn't feel at ease doing that. We don't deserve it, not after that."

Match Report: Dover 1 Woking 5

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