Dover manager Jake Leberl insists he cannot see similarities between their 2023/24 National League South relegation season and this campaign - despite the club's recent miserable form.

Whites have gone 10 games without a win in all competitions ahead of tonight’s league match at Horsham.

Leberl made his Crabble comeback in 2023, taking charge alongside No.2 and Academy boss Mike Sandmann that December.

The pair were unable to save Dover from relegation but did help Whites make a Step 2 return at the first attempt, winning promotion through the play-offs last term.

They enjoyed a fine start to this season and, although their form has badly dipped since, they still find themselves in the middle echelons of the table in 13th - albeit having played the most league fixtures.

“We were in this league a couple of years ago,” said Leberl.

“We definitely don’t have the feel of that season where we were going into games beaten. But it’s difficult when you are on a bit of a downward spiral.

“Obviously, confidence does go. We need to pick the boys up. We need to stick together and to keep working.

“We know we’re a good side and we know we have got good players but, ultimately, we need to pick up points.”

Dover have maintained their part-time model this campaign in a league that’s becoming increasingly professional.

But Leberl said: “We knew what we were going into.

“It’s easy to get down, it’s easy to get disappointed, and people are questioning lots of things. But we need to be a little bit realistic.

“We’re not on a great run but we’re not on a disastrous run. We’re holding our own against full-time sides in this league with huge resources. If you take Tuesday night’s game (a 1-0 home defeat against Chelmsford), I don’t think anyone can say that they were a lot better than us, bearing in mind what they are to what we are.

“We’re just letting in too many goals and too many sloppy goals.”

Whites’ dip in their fortunes has coincided with the absences of forward Ruben Soares-Junior and midfielder Ryan Hanson.

Striker Decarrey Sheriff sustained a knee injury early on against Chelmsford last midweek, too, and is expected to face a spell on the sidelines.

“When you lose someone as influential as Ruben - as a character, as well as a footballer, and Ryan, as well - you’re going to have this,” said Leberl, who is considering recalling young in-form striker Rolando Onu from a goal-laden dual-registration spell at Isthmian South East Sheppey.

“We need to stick together. There are already a few noises that are starting to occur, which isn’t going to help anyone.

“We’re going to battle and do our best to turn this around.”

Former Crystal Palace youngster Finley Marjoram, 19, is among Whites’ recent recruits after a brief spell with Folkestone.

On teenage defender Marjoram, who hails from Folkestone, Leberl revealed: “Fin is a lad with great pedigree.

“He was with us before he went to Folkestone. He became available. Henry (Lukombo) has gone out on loan so Fin has come in there.

“He’s a bit more of an attacking threat.”

While ex-Sittingbourne defender Lukombo is enjoying regular first-team football at Ramsgate, the door remains open for him at Crabble.

“Henry came to us,” Leberl explained. “He wants to play football, all these boys want to play football, and there was an opportunity for him to go and get a month’s football.

“We’ll see how he gets on. At least then, when he does get another opportunity, he is going to be match fit.

“It’s difficult when you don’t play a lot of football to come in and hit the ground running.”

Dover host strugglers Enfield this weekend.

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