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Terras told to keep building before huge Havant test

Ahkeem Rose's ankle injury will be assessed
Ahkeem Rose's ankle injury will be assessed

WEYMOUTH manager Bobby Wilkinson admitted a good result against Havant will not transform the Terras’ fortunes overnight when the two sides meet this evening (7.45pm).

Vanarama National League South bottom side Weymouth are winless in nine games this season and have not won a home match for 224 days.

However, they face a high-flying Hawks side who are unbeaten in second.

Asked if a positive result against Havant could transform the Terras’ low confidence, Wilkinson told Echosport: “No, I wouldn’t say it’s that.

“Let’s start getting great performances on the pitch and when one good result comes another will come.

READ MORE: Weymouth 0-2 Dover Athletic - match reaction

“If everyone thinks we’re going to win one game and it’s going to change overnight that’s not how football works.

“We’ve got to make sure every week we’re getting further forward in winning games of football.

“In a week, we’ve won a game. I didn’t feel we played particularly well in the second half but this week we’ve gone a little bit more forward.

“Can we be better (today)? It can click and just turn around. I take full responsibility, just like the players do.

“I don’t want it to be individuals any more. As a group, we will try and turn it round.”

And Wilkinson called for the Terras to make an impression against Havant.

“When Havant come here, what are we going to do?” he said. “Are we going to let them leave here knowing that we gave it absolutely everything?

“They’re going to think this is a walkover. But let’s get organised, we’re going to be working extremely hard and we’ll be ready to go.

“They’ve got to be ready to go 90 minutes to win a game of football. If that means scoring an ugly goal in the 89th minute, that’s what you’ve got to do.”

Weymouth face fitness worries over captain Xander McBurnie (groin) and Ahkeem Rose (ankle) but Tom Blair (nose) is expected to feature after receiving treatment for a bloodied nose in the 2-0 loss to Dover.

On McBurnie Wilkinson added: “It’s a groin, he said he did it halfway through the first half but wanted to carry on playing. Already that winning mentality that I need is there.

“When we lost him we lost shape and we had to go three in midfield which is what I didn’t want to do because I wanted the two strikers.”

Shedding light on Ibrahim Bakare’s departure, Wilkinson said: “It was with travelling. He was coming far and he did a deal with the last manager.

“That was out of my hands. He spoke to his agent and decided to move closer to home, you have to accept that.”

Wilkinson also revealed that goalkeeper Harrison Bruton would continue to train with Weymouth despite his dual registration with AFC Stoneham.