Davies calls for fans' patience but backs new-look Rebels to turn the corner

Credit: Zak Rana (@zrdocs on Instagram)

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Slough Town find themselves bottom of the National League South table after just three matches this season, but they haven’t been ‘terrible by any stretch’ according to player manager Scott Davies.

Davies felt the Rebels were brilliant in their opening match away to Tonbridge Angels, despite being held to a goalless draw.

They then played ok in patches after a poor start saw Joe White score the only goal in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Hemel Hempstead Town at Arbour Park.

While Davies acknowledged Dorking Wanderers had the greater know how and experience in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at the Meadowbank Stadium.

Speaking with the Express this week, he accepted their form had been a little ‘indifferent’ in their opening three league matches, however, he urged supporters to show this group of players some patience as they look to settle into their new surroundings and get to grips with what the management team are asking of them.

“We were brilliant against Tonbridge, and through spells in the Hemel game we were a little bit indifferent,” said Davies.

“We were poor to start with which is ultimately what cost us the game, going 1-0 down so early on. We were then good for a spell, but the second half was a bit of a non-event.

“It’s been a bit indifferent, which is probably what you’d expect with a new group of players and new messaging from us to them. It’s going to take time, of course it is.

“But I think everyone needs to understand where we are as a club and as a group. It’s never going to be the finished article before the end of August. It’s never going to be easy in the league, and I think it’s tougher than it’s ever been.

“We all hoped to get off to a good start but I’m hoping there will be kinder matches for us along the way, rather than being judged on Dorking away.”

There have been huge changes at Slough Town over the summer, with many of the club’s more established and experienced players moving on for new opportunities to be replaced by players Davies feels can step up and perform at this level. They haven’t done that consistently over the first three matches but with a kinder wind behind them, Davies believes they’ll all show what they’re capable of in the coming weeks.

The fixture list has thrown up another daunting match for the Rebels on Saturday with unbeaten league leaders Ebbsfleet United the visitors to Arbour Park.

Fleet were relegated last season after finishing bottom of the National League table; however, they’ve hit the ground running in the National League South, securing wins over Dagenham & Redbridge, Chippenham Town and Chelmsford City without conceding a goal.

“Other teams have had poor pre-seasons and have got off to a flyer,” added Davies.

“Pre-season is purely about getting minutes and ideas into the boys. It counts for nothing. The beauty is that we’re back at home on Saturday, the difficulty is that we’re playing a team that has won three games without conceding a goal yet.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge and we always fancy ourselves at home. I’m hoping we can spring a surprise because I think we’ve got the people in the building to do it.

“We’ve got Tyrese Dyce to come back soon and Wiktor Makowski should be back on Monday. We just need a full fit squad, and I don’t believe we’ve been able to put out our strongest 11 yet. Once we get everyone back hopefully our season will start to take off.”

Jimmy Muitt nipped in front of Adam Desbois to score an early opener for Dorking on Tuesday while the hosts passed up several more good chances before Jason Prior headed home their second with six minutes left to play.

Davies added: “It was summed up perfectly by someone who said ‘you could go there and play unbelievably well, but if they also played unbelievably well, you could still lose 2-0'

“That’s the difference when you come up against an experienced team with a bit of know-how and nous. But we played ok and haven’t been terrible by any stretch.”