SAM Collins has said Canvey Island need to face up to some home truths after Saturday’s disappointing FA Cup exit at the weekend.

The Gulls were beaten 2-0 by Witham Town at the Frost Hire Stadium in the preliminary round of the competition.

But it was the manner of the defeat which caused as much, if not more, concern than the result.

Canvey rarely troubled the Witham goal in the 90 minutes.

And Collins, who joined the club from Concord Rangers in the summer, said he was despondent after the final whistle.

“I don’t know exactly what happened,” said the 28-year-old. “The club has a great history in that competition and I am not happy with what happened.

“We must move on as this game is done but we are now out of the FA Cup. A run would have been nice but we need to figure out a way to win football matches again.

“We felt down afterwards and things were said in the dressing room and some home truths needed to be said after that.

“Changes will be made and what needs to be done will be done.

“Teams will come to play us and try to absorb pressure and attempt to hit us on the counter-attack.

“We want that winning mentality. We have dominated possession but need to make it count.

“We need to learn from what has happened and be willing to do the nitty-gritty.”

Canvey have failed to win any of their first three games this season.

A point against AFC Sudbury opened their Isthmian North campaign, with a 3-2 defeat against Tilbury following soon after.

And things aren’t getting any easier for Danny Heale’s charges.

The Gulls travel to Cheshunt on Saturday before a home match against Bowers & Pitsea on Bank Holiday Monday.

And Collins said everyone at the club is pitching in to turn around the team’s early-season fortunes.

“It is not the start we wanted,” he said. “The atmosphere was one of frustration and disappointment.

“The first two performances were OK and we didn’t get the results we felt we deserved.

“But we weren’t good enough from start to finish against Witham and it is up to us to put it right.

“All the staff are on the same page and we need to fight to get to where we want to be.

“We have dropped more points than we would have liked. But we can only look at the next game.”

Collins has captained Canvey in the opening three games of term.

And he said he enjoys wearing the armband, but accepts that pressure comes with it.

“It is a nice feeling,” he said. “I have enjoyed leading the team but I also take added responsibility from the results.

“But I am looking forward to the challenge.”