Boss Alan Dowson has barred his players from reading internet football forums to keep confidence high in the Hampton & Richmond Borough dressing room.

The Beavers kicked off their Ryman Premier League campaign with a 1-1 draw at Harrow Borough on Saturday and a 2-1 defeat to Wingate & Finchley at the Beveree on Tuesday night.

It was not quite the dream start fans and the manager had been hoping for but he believes his men are not far off hitting top form and when they do, look out.

“We were outstanding for 60 minutes against Wingate we had chances to go 2-0 up and we would have cruised the game had we taken them,” he said.

“You are going to get some spanners on forums saying this and that about our team, but I have told the players to forget about them and just listen to what is said in the dressing room.

“There are no great teams i n this league and there are no poor teams. It is dog eat dog.

“There is no panic. I believe that once we get our first win we’ll get on a run and then there will be no stopping us.”

Charlie Moone and Dean Sinclair were on target for Hampton in the two games, but it is at the other end where Dowson has problems after skipper Kieran Murphy limped off in Saturday’s draw.

“The three goals we conceded without Murphy on the pitch would not have been scored had he been fit,” added Dowson.

“He is an important player. He is seeing the physio at QPR this week. Hopefully, it is just bruising and he’ll be back in the team at the weekend.”

Hampton host East Thurrock United tomorrow.