PORTLAND United boss Kyle Critchell’s believes his side’s form this season is nothing short of sensational as the Blues continue to exceed expectations in their debut Southern League campaign.
Promotion from the Wessex League was always going to be a difficult task for the Blues, but after 15 games, the club sits just outside the playoffs having taken the scalps of Tiverton and local rivals Dorchester Town along the way.
Speaking to the Echo about how the season has gone so far, Critchell said: “I think first and foremost I have to give credits to the players and staff as without those efforts we would not be where we are - I’m delighted with them.
“It’s a reflection of all the hard work we did in preseason. We are not the finished article and the players want to keep improving. We’ll have our ups and downs but we are enjoying the season so far.”
The Blues coach admitted the team is “exceeding expectation” but was pleased to be punching above their weight in a sustainable way.
He added: “Our resources are bottom four but again the coaching staff and my football knowledge has helped us.
“Sometimes teams have been better than us and we have had to suffer and we will suffer but our strength as a group is we can suffer well and tactically I think we have been spot on for all but a few games.”
The target has always been survival and from Critchell’s point of view that still remains the case.
When asked if the club’s impressive start to the season, which has seen them win seven games and suffer just five defeats, has changed the club's target, he said: “I don’t think we need to put pressure on ourselves. We need to stay humble and keep working hard.
“Our objective is to stay in the league and at the moment on a points per game basis we’d be safe but we can’t take anything for granted.”
Turning his attention to this weekend’s opponents, Critchell knows it will be another tough encounter as his side visits Swindon Supermarine, managed by former Weymouth manager Bobby Wilkinson.
On Swindon, he said: “Bobby’s been great help to me this season to lean on for support but Saturday he will want to win.
“It’s a great test to play Swindon and then we have Falmouth, also away, so it’s going to take everyone one we have to take something from these games.”
One aspect of playing in the Southern League is also the longer travel but it is a challenge that Portland have chosen to embrace rather than see as a negative.
Critchell said: “We are going to enjoy the travel. That’s what we wanted when coming into this league.
“We are lucky to have our sponsor Excelsior and Paul Knight for that luxury travel which is important.
“Yes, it’s not always nice travelling back after a loss but we are enjoying it and we are coping well. We’re no phased but of course it will have an impact on some due to getting out of work.”
Portland kick off at the Webbswood Stadium is at 3pm on Saturday, November 14.
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