Steve Watt says he plans to be at Reachfields for the long run after seeing Hythe’s winless sequence extended to seven games.

Town were beaten 4-1 at home by near-neighbours Ashford on Saturday – just a week after they had lost by the same margin at Three Bridges.

The Cannons have slipped to 17th in Isthmian South East after taking just three points from the last 21 but manager Watt is determined to ride out the storm.

Watt, who succeeded Sam Denly in September, said: “I did not come in to be a one-season wonder, I want to build something and that takes time.

“I’ve been fortunate in my career to be part of some really successful sides so I know what it takes.

“You look at the teams in our division who are doing well – Ashford, Hastings – and it’s no coincidence that they have management teams who have been in place for a couple of years.

“I know people at the club are disappointed with the last two results, and rightly so, but you need to establish some stability and you don’t do that by chopping and changing managers.”

Watt felt Ashford were the best team Town have faced this season, but was still far from happy with his side – so much so he kept them in the dressing room for more than half an hour.

He said: “I knew Saturday would be tough, Ashford are solid in every department.

“We just weren’t at the levels they were, it was disappointing.

“We were in the changing rooms until gone half past five having a lengthy discussion.

“It was mainly me talking but there was a bit of open dialogue between us. I told them that I can’t afford to sit and watch this week after week, things need to change.

“The main feedback I got from them was they’re letting us down but I don’t think it’s as simple as that.

“I wouldn’t say they are not trying, they are just not performing to the levels they can and the team are low on confidence.”

• Wratten back at Town
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Hythe travel to Guernsey this Saturday (2pm) and Watt hopes to include a couple of new signings having put in several seven-day notices.

He is already without defender Aaron Simpson, who damaged his ankle against Ashford, and striker Alex Flisher, sent off in the same game.

Watt said: “I know the players I want to bring in, it’s whether or not we can attract them on the sort of budget we have got.

“We can’t throw money about, we need to account for every single penny.”

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