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Dover Athletic boss Jake Leberl looks ahead to National League South home game against Slough Town

Jake Leberl hopes Dover can complete a National League South double over Slough this Saturday.

Whites, a massive 12 points from safety with 15 matches to play this season, have taken just one point from their last five league fixtures and have only two league wins all season.

Dover Athletic manager Jake Leberl. Picture: Tony Flashman
Dover Athletic manager Jake Leberl. Picture: Tony Flashman

But one of those victories was a 2-1 success at Slough in August.

Scott Davies’ mid-table team are now unbeaten in 15 at Arbour Park and have tasted defeat just once in their past five matches, albeit they have been beaten twice on the road in 2024.

Dover manager Leberl said: “They have been in brilliant form. I was looking at that the other day.

“I don’t think they have lost at home for five months, so they’re on a good run. But every good run comes to an end sooner or later.

“Hopefully, it can be us to end it.”

Leberl has now been in charge of basement boys Dover for more than a month. They collected five points from his first three matches in charge - but have struggled again since.

Asked how he had found his time in the dug-out, he replied: “Pretty much as expected.

“I don’t know how many of the boys have been regulars from the start (of the season) - not many. It’s difficult.

“Obviously, we’re trying to bring players in but it’s difficult to bring players in with the position we’re in, financially and because people look at the league table. Do people want to play in a relegation battle? We’re finding that challenging.

“But the lads have been very responsive. It’s not all doom and gloom.

“But the more losses, obviously, it’s going to get harder and harder, so we do need to start picking up points.”

Leberl also explained why he handed the captain’s armband to centre-back Jacob Mensah for Tuesday’s 2-1 derby defeat at home to Tonbridge.

The 23-year-old bundled home a scrappy first goal of the season in the first half while regular skipper James Dunne was on the substitutes’ bench and after experienced right-back John Oyenuga had been involved in a car-crash.

“Dunney is the regular captain,” said Leberl, who praised young midfielder Freddie Oliver for his display in midweek.

“I think he has played virtually every minute since I’ve been here but I just thought it was an opportunity after the tough game at Torquay (a 1-0 weekend loss) and the travelling. Dunney has a little bit of a knee injury.

“Obviously, John would have been captain if he hadn’t been involved in an accident.

“I looked around and Jacob is a really good character and a really good guy. The club means a lot to him.

“I just felt it was an opportunity for him to wear the armband.”

Oyenuga is understood to have required an ambulance after being involved in a collision with a lorry, but it’s hoped any injuries he sustained are not too serious.

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