HARWICH and Parkeston joint-boss John Fidgett believes consistency will be the key in the second half of the season.

After an uncertain summer, following an exodus of players, the club were unsure whether they would have a big enough squad to kick-off the new campaign.

Instead, Fidgett and Martin Warnes have built a squad capable of holding their own in the Essex and Suffolk Border League – as they proved in their recent 3-3 draw against ambitious neighbours Little Oakley.

However, they have been unable to keep those standards high and an example was their last game before Christmas – a 2-1 defeat at Earls Colne.

Fidgett (pictured) admitted it was like watching two different teams and insists consistency will be vital in 2016.

“Without a doubt, we’ve made real progress and moved on since the start of the season,” he said.

“Back in the summer, we weren’t sure if we’d be able to field a side every week.

“Now we’re competitive and our recent derby with Oakley was a great advert both for football in the area and the Border League.

“On the whole, I’m really pleased and feel we can be a match for anyone.

“There are no super-stars in our team and when we pull together, we’re capable of playing very well.

“We’ve proved we can compete with the top sides and in those games we normally produce our best performances.

“It’s when we play the lesser sides that we tend to let our standards slip – as was the case against Earls Colne.

“That consistency will be key.

“If we can play to a certain level every week we’re capable of a mid-table finish.

“If we don’t, we’ll struggle and that’s what I always say to the players.

“They have to play with heart, passion and desire in every game, regardless of who we’re playing.

“When the boys pull that shirt on, they have to prove they want to wear it and keep it.”

Harwich went into the Christmas hiatus sitting third from bottom in the premier division, with two wins and a three draws from their 13 games.

The victories were a 4-0 success at home to Earls Colne, on the opening day, and a 2-0 triumph at Lawford Lads.

“I’m always confident and expect to get something from every game,” added Fidgett.

“It doesn’t matter if we’re playing a side from the bottom of the table or someone like Gas or West Bergholt.

“We’re capable of winning every game and if we didn’t have that belief, there wouldn’t be any point turning up.

“Since going into management I tend to take losing even harder than when I was a player.

“It’s because I feel more responsible, because I’ve helped pick the team.

“Martin and I work well together and have a great relationship.

“He’s taken a lot of the weight off my shoulders and when we sit down and list our teams for a game, we nearly always go with the same 11.”