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As a defender in his playing days, perhaps it’s no surprise that Hythe Town boss Steve Watt is building from the back.
But when it resulted in a run of just two defeats in 14 Isthmian South East matches at the end of last season, why change a successful formula?
“When I came in, I said that the play-offs were the aim,” said Watt, who took over at Reachfields last September.
“We got to within touching distance last season but fell away (with a few draws) just before the pandemic hit.
“We lost two in 14 matches last year when we had that good run so if we can hit the ground running and pick that up again then we’ll be up there.
“But it’s going to be a tough season, clubs have put a lot of investment into their squads.”
Hythe start the season missing the influential Alex Flisher – out through suspension – and keeper Will Godmon, sidelined by an ankle injury.
They host Burgess Hill this Saturday and Dean Beckwith’s arrival along with Liam Smith (Tonbridge) has helped compensate for Margate-bound Jamie Coyle.
“We had to replace Jamie with experience and we’ve got that with Dean,” said Watt. “Liam Smith has come in and been excellent as well.
“I’ve tried to build from the back, having a good foundation is important and then you look to see if we can add bits of quality as we go on.
“I’m delighted to have Dean and Liam, they’ve had a positive effect on us.”
Watt will be keen that his team don’t prove as wasteful as they did in last weekend’s 2-1 FA Cup exit at the hands of South Park.
“I’m disappointed as I thought we were the better side with the chances we created, they weren’t even half-chances, I expected us to score them.
“But if you don’t take your chances at any level then you get punished.
“It took for us to go 2-0 down before we started to get going.
“You can’t afford to give any team a headstart like that so it’s disappointing.”
This weekend’s visitors Burgess Hill were caught up in a storm last weekend after FA Cup opponents Hollands & Blair declined to travel for their clash after Hill announced that players in their squad had tested positive for Covid-19.
It’s not the only disruption that Watt expects this season.
“It’s going to be difficult for everyone and you may have games called off during the season,” he said.
“That will be the challenge but you have to treat it as normally as you can.
“It’s an even playing field, we’re all in the same boat.”
First four league games: Sat Sep 19: Burgess Hill (h), Sat Oct 3: Phoenix Sports (h), Tue Oct 6: Sevenoaks (a), Sat Oct 10: Herne Bay (h).
