Steve Watt admits Hythe’s players need a radical change in mentality if they are to pull away from the bottom reaches of Isthmian South East.

Saturday’s 2-0 loss away to fellow strugglers Phoenix Sports was followed by a 1-0 home defeat to Sevenoaks on Tuesday, leaving them just one rung off the foot of the table.

The Cannons conceded two goals in quick succession at Phoenix just as they had during Watt’s first game – the 2-2 draw with Whitstable in the Velocity Trophy last Tuesday.

Manager Watt said: “The way we conceded goals in those two games has not been good enough and it’s obvious to me that there is a pattern.

“I said to the team after Saturday that there’s something fundamentally not right in the dressing room in terms of the mentality of the squad.

“We were so comfortable (at Phoenix) but then we concede and panic sets in, the balance isn’t right and nor is the mentality.

“I like players to show strength of character, which is what you need to do when things go against you, as they will during the course of a season.

“When it does it’s not how good a player you are, it’s how strong a character.

“Everyone, including me is going to make mistakes, but we’ve got to start having each other’s backs.

“We’re a nice side we need a little bit more steeliness about us.”

Watt admits his first week at Reachfields has been ‘challenging’ and that the job is probably bigger than he originally thought when he succeeded Sam Denly.

His priority so far has been strengthening the defence having brought in 19-year-old full back Danny Divine, from Maidstone and free agent Hamilton Bunga, a centre-half, ahead of the Phoenix game.

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He has also made a seven-day approach for a goalkeeper with whom he hopes to speak towards the end of the week.

Midfielder Chris Kinnear has been told he’s’ free to leave and Elliott Capel has been released.

Watt, who signed striker Kiernan Hughes-Mason from Barking on Tuesday, hinted that the departures might not end there as he looks to reshape his squad.

He explained: “I’ve told the players they are playing for their futures right now. I can’t waste time, I need to put it right because the club should not be where it is and I can’t wait too long to make decisions.

“I know how I want my team to look, how I want them to set up and we’re a long way off that at the moment, or at least certainly not close enough to feel comfortable.”

Former Hythe striker Frankie Sawyer scored the only goal at Reachfields on Tuesday following up after Bradley Schafer's effort had come back out off the upright six minutes before half-time.

Sevenoaks were reduced to 10 men on 88 minutes when another ex-Cannon Dan Parkinson was given a second yellow card and sent off for the second year running at Reachfields.

Town travel to Herne Bay on Saturday.

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