Hythe manager Sam Denly is feeling the pressure after a run of four straight defeats.

The Cannons are now four points outside the Bostik South East play-offs and Denly has vowed to make changes.

He questioned the character and fighting spirit of his players after they slumped 3-1 at Herne Bay on Saturday.

But Denly admitted the buck stops with him when it comes to getting Hythe's promotion push back on track.

He said: "The last four games haven’t been good enough and we haven’t been firing all season.

"Last season feels like a long time ago, the great run we went on, and of course you feel the pressure.

"We’re seventh in the league and as a team and a club we’ve got ambitions to get out of the league.

"It isn’t good enough and now I’m looking for a response from the players.

"Yes, there is pressure on us. We want to kick on as a club and the last four games have been nowhere near good enough.

"I expect better so there will be changes and we’ll get it right."

Hythe's squad is packed with talent but they'll need more than that to get out of this rut.

Denly said: "It’s all very well speaking about talent but this isn’t just about free-flowing football and players getting on the ball and expressing themselves.

"There’s a different side to the game and at this moment in time, that’s something we’re lacking. Maybe we haven’t got quite as much quality as we thought.

"There were some harsh words after the game but the buck stops with me. I accept that as manager and so it should.

"It’s down to me to put things right. Whether that means changing systems or changing personnel, there will certainly be changes over the next couple of weeks.

"This has been my hardest stint since I’ve been at Hythe. We’ve had a lot of success as a team and we’ve been playing good football but at the moment we find ourselves on a bit of a torrid run.

"I back myself and I back my management team. There may be some harsh conversations to have over the next week but of course we can turn it around.

"It’s about testing yourself. I learn a lot about myself as well, and my players.

"We’ll get it right - there’s no other option. Things can only improve now and I’ll do all I can to make sure they do."

Hythe entertain Whitstable on Saturday.