Manager Ira Jackson is confident good times lie ahead for Hythe Town - even if critics say he’s delusional.

It’s been a mixed bag for the Cannons since relegation to the Southern Counties East Premier Division.

They topped the table in the opening weeks before suffering a five-match losing streak.

Victory over Chislehurst Glebe halted the slide and that was followed by FA Vase progress against Athletic Newham.

But back-to-back league defeats, including a 4-1 loss at Phoenix Sports on Saturday, have seen negativity resurface.

Jackson accepts and understands criticism but remains focused on making Hythe a force to be reckoned with.

They host Whitstable in an 11am kick-off at Reachfields this Sunday, the fixture having been moved as part of groundhopper weekend.

“I know how much work has been put in behind the scenes but results haven’t been good enough,” said Jackson.

“They will get better because they have to and because we’re going to work to make sure they do.

“The objective is to win as many games as possible and at the moment we’re not doing that.

“I’m not happy, the fans aren’t happy, the players aren’t happy.

“As much as opinions can fly out, they’re justified in terms of results.

“We’ll be better and I’ve got full faith in the squad that they can produce, but all good things take time.

“It looks like we don’t have time in terms of the fact there’s a game coming every week and there’s an expectation that because we’re Hythe Town we’re going to be winning the league.

“The message is we have to keep working and getting better.

“We won two games on the trot and now we’ve lost two games on the trot, so we don’t become rubbish overnight.

“We started the season like a house on fire and then unexpected things happened, injuries and players leaving.

“I don’t get to type on Twitter about how bad everything is, it’s my job to pick up the pieces and try to fix everything.

“We said it was going to be a building process and we’re still getting points, whereas other teams are losing every game.

“As much as we’re nowhere near where we want to be, it’s not as bad as it seems.

“Some may say that’s delusional but delusions helped me get a pro contract and be one of the best forwards in non-league, so I think the delusions should stay the same.

“It’s not been all doom and gloom, that’s the balance I have to have as a manager.

“Once this group gets itself together and builds those bonds and starts to gel, and the experience starts to have its impact on the team, we’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”

Hythe were their own worst enemies at Phoenix where they conceded a series of bad goals.

Robbie Keil replied at 3-0 down but the hosts added a fourth.

“It was a tough day at the office but that’s what you get when you don’t stick to the game plan and you don’t do the basics,” said Jackson.

“Every game we’ve lost has been a result of the same thing.

“You can switch players around but ultimately we’re making silly mistakes and getting punished.

“But also we’re picking and choosing when we want to follow the game plan and the structure.

“Every player that scored for Phoenix, we knew exactly how they would score and we told the players these are the areas they score their goals and this is what you have to do to stop them.

“I’m the manager, I pick the team, so it’s my fault but, at the end of the day, the message remains the same - we are still very early into this and we’ve not had a fully fit squad for one game.”

Hythe have signed experienced forward Steadman Callender, handing him a debut at Phoenix.

Jackson said: “He’ll add to our squad once he’s fit and in shape and ready to go.

“He’s an experienced player that gives us something different and we just needed to strengthen and fix the spine.”