Mick Snowdon wants his Bedfont Sports side to start getting nasty so they don't get bullied out of games.
The Combined Counties Premier are enjoying a revival under the former Ashforfd Town (Middx) manager , who guided them away from the threat of relegation last season.
This term, they are sitting comfortably in mid-table following Saturday's 3-2 win at Guildford City, thanks to a debut strike from Julius Mgnadi, a Tommy Mooney effort and a first for the club from former Met Police striker Lloyd Nwag.
This was followed by a 2-1 Middlesex Senior Cup win over Hillingdon Borough on Tuesday, in which goals from Jordan Esprit and Bryan Obonya compensated for two penalty misses from Tim Pitt, setting up a potential tie against Snowdon's former side in the next round, if Ashford can get past Harefield.
He said: “We're working to a system now that they players enjoy playing in, and we're playing good football, but we're the opposite to what Bedfont normally are – we're too nice. We need to be a bit more aggressive, competitive and determined to win games.
Against Guildford, Mngadi's goal was the only highlight of a tepid first half which so angered Snowdon that he kept his side out on the pitch at half time and gave them both barrels – the ploy producing a much improved second half.
Snowdon was pleased with the capture of Mngadi, who is a familiar face on the local football scene having played for both Bedfont and Feltham before the clubs merged.
He said: “I've been looking for a new left-back all season. We approached Julius after he played against us for Staines Lammas. He's great going forward, like Ashley Cole, but is still needs to learn a few things defensively. With Phil Dexter retiring, we've got him in at the right time.”
However, Snowdon does not expect to see goal machine Jamie Read back in action for a few more weeks, and admits the striker won't be firing on all cylinders for even longer.
He added: “Jamie didn't have a pre-season and thought he could just come back in, but he's not as sharp as he should have been. He's picked up an ankle injury which should be okay in a couple of weeks, but probably won't get his old sharpness back until the Christmas period.”
Meanwhile, two goals in as many extra-time minutes from Joseph Ataro saw neighbours Bedfont & Feltham through 4-2 in the Division One Challenge Cup at Farleigh Rovers. Jacob Lambe also bagged a normal time brace for the Yellows.
