There definitely is life going into the Festive Season at Crabble as Dover Athletic are showing signs of life under Andy Hessenthaler and in the season of miracles, they could be out of the National League’s relegation zone come 5pm on Saturday afternoon if results go their way.
Speaking with KSN this week, Hessenthaler began by reflecting on last weekend’s draw at his former club Eastleigh.
He said, “Slight disappointment after the game as though we’d not lost the game, conceding so late in the 85th minute, but the performance was tremendous and has carried on from previous two games and so a return of seven from nine with two away games is a great return – really pleased and the performances have been good, but we can’t take our foot off of the pedal and keep going and putting performance in starting Saturday against AFC Fylde.”
“They have a good set up, up there – I’ve been there a couple of times and they’re doing things the right way, attracting very good players and have one who is pretty red hot when he’s on it – Danny Rowe – I’m surprised he hasn’t gone to a League club, but I guess that’s because that he loves it there and wants to achieve things with them.”
“They’re a good team and that’s why they’re up there and we’re in for another tough game Saturday. They’ll be travelling I’m sure Friday and they’ll come down and prepare right, but you’d still like to think that stuck in a bus for four or more hours will take something and go in our favour, but we’ll see!”
“We’ve got to give them the respect that they deserve, but we the only thing we’ll be worrying about on Saturday will be ourselves. We’re geared for the game and take some confidence into the game and will look to win the game.”
“And all of a sudden we’re making a statement and there’s a possibility on Saturday that we could be out of the bottom four at the end of the day which psychologically will be amazing, especially coming into Christmas.”
“It’s taken us a little while to get things organised – players training every day etc – and my thought process then was that it was going to take some time and doing it before Christmas was really quite unthinkable and that goes back to the players really – yes really pleased with the ways things are going and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that it could happen – there’s half a chance that it could happen come ten to five on Saturday.”
“We’re OK squad-wise to choose from. We’ve still trying to do some business in the market with a defender and a midfielder, but that now won’t be until after the weekend which will be good as we look for the boost going into the Christmas period…”
Hessenthaler then allowed himself to look to Christmas and potentially two titanic Kent derbies.
“There loads of connection between us and Maidstone – with the position that we’re in,” the Dover boss said, “and the position they’re in and it’s “quite an exciting prospect” the two games we have with them over Christmas – I’m sure both games will be well supported, and the atmospheres will be fantastic.”
“We know that’s coming up and we’d love to go into those games in some good form and have the confidence to continue a period of good results over Christmas.”
“But we’ve got Saturday, a Trophy game and a TV game with Barnet before we get that far. We’ve finally got some home games too as I think of the ten games that we’ve played already, seven of them have been away.”
“So we’re looking forward to a few home games and look forward to getting used to playing a few games at home and making this a difficult place for the opposition starting of course with Fylde.”