Little Common boss stresses need for consistency

Little Common midfielder Wes Tate brings the ball under control during last weekend's 1-1 draw at home to Newhaven. Picture by Simon Newstead

Relegation-threatened Common produced a hard-working display to draw 1-1 at home to second-placed Newhaven in the Southern Combination League Premier Division.

Eldridge said: “It was a pleasing performance and a pleasing point to pick up, but we’ve had that performance before and the next game has let us down. There’s no point having a good performance one week and nothing the next week. We need to strive for that consistency.

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“It’s about putting together back-to-back performances and if we do that, hopefully results will take care of themselves.”

Despite picking up a very commendable point, the Commoners dropped a place to third-from-bottom of the table and they are just one point above the two relegation places.

Next up for Common tomorrow (Saturday) is a trip to Lingfield, who are faring comfortably the best of the three promoted sides in eighth place.

“It’s a tough place to go, they’re doing well,” continued Eldridge. “We know every game is a tough game and we have to make sure we do everything in our power to come away with a result.

“It’s going to be a battle, probably a heavy pitch and we’ll have to make sure we get the selection right for that. That may mean leaving people out, but we’re in a situation where we have to pick the team that’s right for every game.”

Common, who drew 1-1 at home to Lingfield in August, have drawn five and lost seven of their last 12 league encounters. Their last victory was back in late October.

“We know that three points can make a massive change to the league table psychologically, not only for us, but other teams as well,” added Eldridge. “We know we need to get three points.”

Sam Ellis and Lewis Parsons are unavailable, and Eldridge feels Common are a little bit short in the wide areas, which is something he plans to look at.

Southern Combination League Premier Division bottom six (played-points): 15 Langney Wanderers 26-21 (-26), 16 Shoreham 26-21 (-30 goal difference), 17 Arundel 25-19 (-35), 18 LITTLE COMMON 24-18 (-22), 19 Loxwood 25-17 (-29), 20 Eastbourne United AFC 25-12 (-45).