CONCORD Rangers chairman Antony Smith has thrown his full support behind manager Adam Flanagan despite a difficult start to the season.

The Beach Boys are bottom of the National League South after 13 games with just six points to date.

But Smith says Flanagan is the right man to take Concord on, while admitting some key senior players need to improve.

“It has been a difficult one,” he said. “I would put it down to losing players to injury. We weren’t playing badly at the start of the season but were losing by the odd goal.

“Then we lost our way a little bit and the lads needed to look at themselves and give a bit more and now it is a bit of transitional phase.

“We have brought Tony (Stokes) and Jordan (Chiedozie) in and we want to apply that little bit of pressure to other guys. A couple of key players haven’t been near their best and we need guys to perform at their potential.

“I believe it will come good and there is no panic our end. I have seen a few people calling for Adam’s head but that won’t happen.

“Adam and (assistant manager) Glen (Alzapiedi) are top class. They work hard and are frustrated too.

“It is on my mind every minute of every day. Adam and I are always looking at different players but we don’t want that big turnover. It is not the Concord way.

“The group bonding is there and that is important and we will turn it around, I am confident of that.”