MARK Bentley is finding it difficult to bring reinforcements to Canvey Island.

Bentley has been in talks with players in an attempt to strengthen his squad for the congested festive period.

But the Gulls boss, who replaced Danny Heale at the helm in October, is growing frustrated after players have turned down moves to the Frost Hire Stadium.

“I’ve been trying to bring in players to strengthen our squad, but we just can’t seem to get the deals over the line at the moment,” said Bentley.

“We’ve been talking to players, but they’ve either decided to stay where they are or go onto another club which is in the play-off places or challenging for promotion.

“It’s important that we bring the right players in though and I will continue to look for players that can give us something that we haven’t already got.

“Lanre Balogun came in last week after he was offered to us by Dagenham & Redbridge.

“I actually coached Lanre in his school as a kid.

“I wanted to freshen it up because Adam Vyse and Martin Tuohy are similar players.

“Lanre did well when he came on for his debut and I liked his enthusiasm.”

Despite coming off the bench, Balogun was unable to help Canvey to overturn a 1-0 deficit to Soham Town Rangers last weekend.

And Bentley says his side’s mentality must improve if they are to secure a positive result at Felixstowe & Walton United tomorrow.

“I still can’t get my head around last week’s defeat,” conceded Bentley.

“We spoke in depth with the players after the game because we prepare well but the players need to take responsibility on the pitch.

“They didn’t do that and the most disappointing thing for me was that we went a goal down and the players had no ideas to break Soham down.

“Felixstowe are similar to ourselves in that they are having mixed results.

“I looked at the games this month and thought we should pick up some points, but last weekend’s defeat shows where we are at the moment.

“We had a meal on Tuesday for team bonding, but we know it’s going to be a tough game at Felixstowe because they’ll be looking at our current form and thinking they can beat us.

“We’ve got to have the right mentality.”

Canvey are 12th, one point and three places behind Felixstowe, heading into the clash.

But Bentley believes his side can still reach the play-off places.

“We’re only nine points off the play-off places, so they are still in sight and hopefully we can get closer tomorrow,” he added.