LEWIS Knight says manager Adam Flanagan has been a key factor in his adaptation to National League South football.

The 24-year-old joined Concord Rangers in the summer having spent last season at Thamesmead Town in the Isthmian South.

Having jumped two divisions, Knight needed time to settle into the team but is now proving his worth in the centre of the Beach Boys defence.

But he admits the efforts taken by Flanagan and assistant manager Glen Alzapiedi to improve him as a player cannot be underestimated.

“Adam and Glen have helped me a lot,” said Knight, ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Eastbourne Borough.

“I have been getting a few goals recently and and one of the reasons I am able to is because of the manager.

“He stays with me afterwards and talks about my runs in the penalty area. He told me that before I got a couple of goals against Chippenham Town in November.

“He has done a lot and Glen as well. It is effective.

“I was pleased to come in the first place. The manager had shown some interest and he knew (Thamesmead coach) Alex O’Brien. He put my name forward and I was excited to join.

“I wasn’t playing at first and I knew I had to be patient. We didn’t start the season too well but it took them a while to get going last season and I knew how tough the league was. We were losing tight games but now the team has come on a lot.”

Knight has made 25 appearances for Concord to date, including 21 starts, and he is determined to bounce back from a first defeat in 14 league games when Eastbourne visit tomorrow.

Concord lost the reverse fixture 3-1 and Knight - who didn’t play in that game - said three points against the side two points above them could be very important come the end of the season.

“This league is tight and one win can change everything,” he said. “When we are missing a few through injury it can hurt us as we have a small squad but we know this game will be difficult. We need to do what we are good at and we will do OK.”

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THE PREVIEW: Concord Rangers’ attempts to start another long unbeaten run in the National League South begin against Eastbourne Borough tomorrow.

The 2-0 reverse against Bath City last weekend was their first defeat in 14 matches.

However, Concord are unbeaten at the Aspect Arena since September 12 and will be looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat against the Sports at the start of the season and leapfrog them in the standings in the process.

Borough are on poor form and have lost seven of their last nine matches, their only win coming against rock-bottom Whitehawk.

MEN TO WATCH: Defender Ian Simpemba is a threat from set-pieces, while Gavin McCallum - scorer of a terrific goal for Borough at Concord in 2014 - is capable of fireworks.

WHEN & WHERE: Tomorrow at 3pm. The Aspect Arena, Thames Road, Canvey Island, SS8 0HH.

WHAT THE BOSS SAID: “I don’t think we gave a good enough performance when we lost to them 3-1 earlier on in the season and I expect - as a minimum - a better performance,” said boss Adam Flanagan. “It is a big game for both teams and it is very important we try and put a new run together as soon as possible. This is the first opportunity to do so.

“Since the Truro postponed game we have had players going down with colds and flu which impacted on team selection. My hope is that we will have overcome these and I will be able to select a team from a full quota of players.”

TEAM NEWS: Harry Lee is likely to be ruled out for the season after suffering a medial collateral ligament injury at Bath, Lewis Taaffe remains sidelined.