PORTLAND United interim boss Gary Bailey is striving for consistency ahead of the Blues’ trip to fourth-placed Sholing in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division tonight (8pm).

Since Bailey took over in late January, the Blues have picked up one win, two draws and three defeats – all three coming in their past three matches.

Offering a reason for their inconsistency, Bailey felt confidence, plus an unsettled team, were contributing factors.

He told Echosport: “On our day when we’re all there and firing on all cylinders and playing at our best we’re a match for anyone in the league.

“It’s about seeing that for 90 minutes. For whatever reason we’re not seeing the job through. It’s certainly down to our confidence – it’s not the greatest.

“Chopping and changing through injury and unavailability it doesn’t help getting into a rhythm.

“We’re seeing glimpses of how things should be. When it’s right, we’re looking good.

“We’re certainly suffering from a lack of cutting edge, that’s throughout the team. Even from corners and set-plays it doesn’t feel like we have a goal threat and that’s something we need to address.”

Portland’s injury list grew after Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at runaway leaders Andover Town, with Shaun Bessant and Ross Doidge the latest to find themselves injured with respective knee and hamstring issues.

Bailey said: “I had four or five missing and we’ve picked up two more. The problem is with such a small squad you just haven’t got any recovery time to get people back.

“If you pick up knocks it doesn’t give you a lot of time to get over them, so we’ll take up anyone who is fit and available.

“Shaun’s was a knock of knees so it’s a sore one. I’m hoping that with a bit of rest that it’ll settle down.

“Obviously with hamstrings you can never tell. If it’s gone you could be out for a couple of weeks, but Ross is experienced and he’ll assess it.”

In their previous encounter this season, goals from Lewis Clarke and Ryan McKechnie edged out Sholing 2-1 in a thrilling finale at Grove Corner.