Dartford manager Steve King says he is not looking at what other teams are doing in National League South
Published: 06:00, 05 November 2020
Dartford boss Steve King isn’t bothered by what other teams are doing around them.
The Darts have made an impressive start in National League South with four wins from five matches leaving them top of the table.
The likes of Maidstone, Ebbsfleet and Dorking Wanderers – who Dartford host behind closed doors this Saturday – are all in the top seven, but King is not looking around them.
“We can only worry about ourselves,” he stated. “We’ve gone up to a six out of 10 in my opinion so we’re only going to get better over a sustained period of time.
“We’re in second gear now but 100 per cent there’s more to come.
“The way we keep grinding out and winning is a good habit, isn’t it? Even if you’re not playing to the greatest of your ability.
“We’ve got 13 out of 15 points and we would have taken that. The first six games are a baptism of fire, but we’ll just keep churning them out.”
Jordan Wynter (groin) returns to be in contention against Dorking but King praised the efforts of David Ijaha, who impressed during last weekend’s win over Havant.
“Dave came in and did a great job, he looked after Deacon who is an excellent player,” said King.
“They have to play for their places. We always say as a management team when we have our meetings that if you play well then you stay in the team, if you don’t play well then you leave yourself open. And we’re fair.
“If we see someone in training who is unbelievable in training and we can’t leave him out then we’ll play him.
“We play these friendlies, like we have against Sittingbourne, East Grinstead, Lewes, if they do well and they open their eyes up to get into the team. We look at what goes on in training and other games to affect our decisions.
“At one stage Dave was a little bit off the pace but he has worked hard to get himself in the team so fair play to him.”
King has re-iterated his prediction that striker Jack Barham will reach 20 goals this season after opening his account with a brace against Havant.
He said: “Jack will get 20 goals this year, I’ve got no doubts about that.
“He gives us more in open play than others, he works hard, wins headers for a little man, his tireless running and he can finish as well.
“He could have had another couple in the second half as well last weekend.”
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Matthew Panting