Steve Watt says he regards it as a compliment that other managers have been trying to lure his players away from Reachfields.

The Hythe Town boss revealed this week that a number of his squad have been approached to sign for other clubs, including one in the bar after a match.

Watt admits he finds the situation amusing, particularly as some of those making inquiries are people he has played and coached alongside.

He explained: “People I know quite well, other managers, have texted players asking them about now and next season.

“I find it funny, all they have to do is pick up the phone and ask me.

“When it’s people you know just pick up the phone and speak to me.

“If someone wants to speak to one of my players and they go about it properly I don’t have a problem.

“I’ve actually told a manager ‘don’t bother with the seven days’ and given him the player’s number but then I’ve had another club offer to sign someone in the clubhouse.

“It’s funny, especially when it’s people you know. It’s people I’ve had playing careers with or coaching careers with.

“I take it as a compliment. We must be doing something right when other clubs want your players. It must mean I’m signing half-decent players.”

Hythe, beaten 2-1 at Chichester City on Saturday, continue their Isthmian South East campaign at home to promotion favourites Hastings on Saturday.

The defeat at Chichester was only their second in 13 league matches and Watt is expecting them to bounce back against the side who are joint second, having led the table for much of the season.

He said: “I’ve no complaints about the result on Saturday, we had too many players who weren’t at the level they needed to be.

“We had a real good go at the end but had we snatched a point it would have been unfair on Chichester.

“We never really got into the game. I don’t think we made it difficult enough for them.

“We were disappointed but when you reflect on it we’ve only lost twice since early December and there were seven wins in those 13 matches.

“Every run has to end and on the last occasion we lost (3-0 at Whitehawk on January 4) we won the next three on the bounce so we’ve proved we can get a reaction.

“Hastings are a very good side, they’re up there for a reason, but all the pressure will be on them on Saturday. We’ve got nothing to lose.”

Alex Brown came off the bench to score Hythe’s consolation at Chichester – his first goal for two years – and Watt admits he will try to give the former Maidstone midfielder as much game time as possible in the remaining weeks of the season.

He added: “I was really pleased for him, he came on and changed the game and was a big part of us getting back into it. He had the toe injury which has held him back but I’ll definitely be looking to start him in games now.”

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