PETERSFIELD Town coach Tim Farmer has called for everyone to remain patient at the club ahead of the trip to Portland United.

The first team coach gave his honest appraisal of the Rams’ current situation following the 7-0 home defeat against Alresford Town on Tuesday night.

Now more than ever he believes everyone needs to show patience to allow the players to adjust to the demands of Wessex League Premier Division football and stick together so the coaching staff and players can work on improving the team’s current form.

Farmer said: “At the start of the season I believe we had two choices - money or patience.

“Money to bring in a host of players with Wessex Premier ability and experience but at Petersfield at this moment in time this was not going to be our main option.

“We therefore had to rely on patience – patience to bring through players from our reserve side from last year and ask them to make the considerable step up several levels to play regularly in the Wessex Premier Division.

“That is largely what we have done. There is, of course, a big difference between bringing young players through gradually and relying on them week in and week out.”

Farmer also highlights that the club has had a tough few weeks to cope with, what with three heavy defeats and the departure of manager Jim Macey so early in the campaign.

He added: “After shipping 17 goals in two games and the resignation of the manager it was important to get back to basics and become much harder to beat.

“This I believe is a pre-requisite for any side with ambition and the basis on which to build.

“After two positive and improved performances away against Newport IOW and Brockenhurst therefore, it’s fair to say the result at home against Alresford was very disappointing, though consistency with our young players is going to be one of the hardest things to achieve.”

A lot of hard work is now going on behind the scenes at Love Lane to recruit some new faces to freshen up the squad and add some much needed experience to the ranks.

Hard work is also being put in by the players and coaching staff on the training ground to turn the club’s fortunes around, and sticking together is a key element to starting to get the right results on the pitch.

Farmer said: “All we can ask of the players is that they continue to give their all when representing the club and that they try to take on board the information we are able to impart off the pitch.

“With the games coming thick and fast at the beginning of the season and the challenge in getting a settled side, it has been difficult to find the time to improve the players individually and collectively on the training ground but that will be vital in the weeks ahead to see further improvement in performances and results.

“Most important is that we all continue to stick together in trying to move forward positively and productively.”

Petersfield travel to Portland United in the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division this Saturday, kick-off 3pm. Address details for the ground are: Weyline Stadium, Grove Road, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1DP.