Fisher can fix our defence – Lashenko

LEE Lashenko believes recent signings Jordan Lam and Kai Fisher can breathe new life into Bristol Manor Farm’s season after a stuttering start to their second year in the Southern League.

Winger Lam joins his former team-mate Jamie Bird as the second arrival from Hereford FC in recent weeks, while Lashenko may yet bring in a third player from the National North side.

But it is former Barnstaple Town captain and centre-back Fisher who might be the most significant arrival in the shortterm as Lashenko admits his side have leaked too many goals – 19 in nine league games.

“I love to see my teams attacking and scoring goals, but at the same time not letting them in and we have conceded too many this season,” said Lashenko.

“But then again my intended first-choice partnership of Steve Kingdon and Jamie Turner has hardly played at all due to injury, so that has been an issue.

“Kai is an immediate fix-it for that problem as he is experienced and will add a big physical presence, so he comes straight into the side for the match against Highworth (today).”

With another home match against Bideford on Tuesday before a trip to AFC Totton, Lashenko accepts that the next week or so will give an indication of how quickly his side is going to gel in Division One South.

“It is amazing what a week in football can change, especially with those three games in a week,” he added.

“I know some people are writing us off, but you don’t become a bad team overnight.

“I still believe in my players and, after a break from action last weekend, we have trained hard and will come back refreshed and raring to go.”