Manny: We need to keep the faith

East London Advertiser: Phil Manny and goalie Mike Brabon helped London Raiders beat former club Cardiff on the first day of the season (pic: John Scott)Phil Manny and goalie Mike Brabon helped London Raiders beat former club Cardiff on the first day of the season (pic: John Scott) (Image: Archant)

London Raiders defenceman Phil Manny says it’s time for the team to show their character after suffering seven successive losses.

Manny was missing from the Raiders blue line as they were edged out 5-4 by Solent at Lee Valley last weekend, but is due to return to the side for the double-header at Cardiff and Bracknell.

And the experienced campaigner says everyone needs to pull together to help the club get back on track.

He said: “I never like to miss a game unless I’m injured.

“But I had a good friend of mine’s wedding in Cardiff, so couldn’t miss his big day.

“There’s no sugar coating the fact that we are in a rut and the results haven’t gone to plan, however this is the time where character and determination needs to kick in.

“It’s a rebuilding time for the Raiders, we all just need to keep the faith.”

Former Cardiff man Manny was signed up by player-coach Danny Marshall on the eve of the season, along with ex-team-mates Mike Brabon, Stephen Deacon and Ross Wilkinson, when Raiders finally got the green light to remain on ice.

And, although some of the younger members of Marshall’s squad are still adjusting to their new surroundings, Manny believes there are plenty of positives at the club.

He added: ”The most obvious is the fact that the team is still operating and the great effort the management team have put into increasing the growing fan base in Lee Valley.

“As one of the more experienced players it’s important to help the younger guys out in the exact same way the older guys helped me when I was younger.

“Most of them are in their first year in Ntional League Division One, which is a big step up from Division Two and Under-18s hockey.”