A frustrating result today, but there is a lot to take from the performance.

We started slowly and were caught out twice in the opening stages by Washington’s direct approach. Their game plan was clear from the start: long, straight balls into the channels between our centre backs and fullbacks, looking to release a very quick centre forward 1v1 with Ethan. It worked twice early on, with both situations resulting in fouls and one penalty, which they converted.

After that, we grew into the game and started to control the midfield. It was scrappy at times, but we began to play some really good football and eventually got our reward through Donald, who continues his excellent goalscoring start to the season. Joe Harvey then had the chance to put us ahead from the spot, having scored from a penalty last week, but unfortunately this one went just wide. 1-1 at half time.

The second half started really positively. We were the better team and earned another penalty through Donald, with Michael making no mistake this time. We should arguably have had another penalty shortly afterwards, which for me was the clearest of the three, but it wasn’t given. We also missed a good one-on-one opportunity.

Unfortunately, we then allowed the game to turn. We stopped dealing with the direct balls as well, allowed the ball to bounce, and Washington punished us. They levelled, then took the lead from a needless free kick before a rare mistake from Ethan made it 4-2. Chasing the game left us exposed again and they added a fifth.

The scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story. Washington were very effective at what they did, but they were also very one-dimensional. We were by far the better footballing team for large periods, with some excellent passing patterns and combinations.

Our biggest lesson is obvious: we have to deal with the basics better. The complicated things we’re trying to do are often working really well. Now we need to become much better at defending direct football, winning first contacts, dealing with second balls and protecting the space behind us. That’s on me and Sean to drill into the boys.

We’ve conceded 10 goals in our first two games, so that has to change, but we’ve also scored seven and shown plenty of quality going forward. The new players have brought real energy and technical quality, and we’re starting to see a team develop.

I’m also really pleased with the attitude of the boys we’re asking to play in unfamiliar defensive positions. They might not choose those positions themselves, but they’re putting the team first and working incredibly hard for the group. That deserves recognition.

We’re in a competitive league and we’re competing. Every team we’ve played knows they’ve been in a game against Rutherford.

Now we need to keep turning up, keep working and keep buying into what we’re doing. Training will be focused on the defensive details we need to improve, while Thursday’s S&C sessions will help build confidence, conditioning, strength and togetherness.

From a coaching, facilities, analysis and training perspective, we’ve got everything we need.

We just need the boys to keep walking through the door.

I’m confident that once we get our defensive structure and mentality right, we’ll be a very good team. Keep believing, keep working and keep sticking together. There is plenty to look forward to.