Hythe Town manager Steve Watt has built from the back after summer rebuild

Hythe Town return to action on Saturday with a handful of places still up for grabs in Steve Watt’s squad.

The Cannons manager has been pleased with his summer rebuild so far as he prepares to face Southern Counties East Kennington in their first pre-season match.

“I am really happy with the business we have done and maybe we are just two or three away from what I want,” said Watt.

“But that is what pre-season is about, putting some people in to look at and make a decision on those during and after the games we play and see what we are left with when the season starts.”

It’s been quite a big turnaround at Reachfields this summer.

“The team finished just outside of the relegation places last year so there had to be changes to make us stronger and to be able to compete in a difficult league,” Watt said.

“I have made the necessary changes that I felt needed making, so far, and there might be more to come. We will just have to see over pre-season, see what works and what we lack and try and add in those areas.”

A wide-man, a forward and possibly a central midfielder are areas that might need strengthening but Watt is certainly happy with the work they have done at the back. It was a key area to improve after Hythe finished the Isthmian South East campaign with the third-worst defensive record.

Watt said: “The defence needed looking at and obviously scoring as well, hence why we brought in Johan Caney-Bryan from Sittingbourne, Josh Stirman and also Frannie Collin coming back. We have brought in goals but we are still looking in that area.

“We made sure the defence was sorted first and that’s why we brought in the likes of Jack Steventon, Marcus Goldsmith and Lex Allan, players that will strengthen us in that area.

“The way I