Bromley manager Andy Woodman has delivered a stark assessment of his team's defensive character, labelling it a soft underbelly after a difficult start to life in League One. The newly-promoted side have conceded 13 goals in their opening four matches, a run that includes heavy defeats to Leyton Orient and Sheffield Wednesday.
This tough spell has left Bromley sitting 19th in the League One standings with just four points from a possible twelve. Their recent form reads LLDW, and they have a goal difference of minus nine, having scored four and conceded thirteen. They are already six points adrift of early leaders Huddersfield Town. The BBC reported Woodman's frank comments this week as he addressed the team's defensive issues head-on.
The problems began after a promising start. Bromley took four points from their first two games, including what Woodman called an impressive opening-day win at Barnsley. However, things have unravelled quickly. A 5-0 home loss to Leyton Orient was particularly damaging, as it ended a remarkable 27-game unbeaten league run at Hayes Lane. That was followed by a 7-2 thrashing away at Sheffield Wednesday.
Woodman pointed directly to a lack of the core values he believes the club was built upon. "I don't like the way we're conceding," he told reporters. "This football club's been built on clean sheets, desire and commitment." The manager emphasised that players must be accountable in both good times and bad.
Addressing the defensive frailties is now the immediate priority for Woodman and his coaching staff. Part of the solution, he suggests, involves the club's new signings adapting more quickly to the demands of League One and the culture at Bromley. He stated that recent arrivals need to get "into the Bromley way" without delay, implying that the required intensity and defensive organisation have been lacking.
Woodman's message is clear: the standards that earned promotion cannot be abandoned. "It's all very well taking the plaudits when it goes well - you can't hide away when it doesn't go well," he said. The challenge is to instil the resilience that defined their successful campaign last season. Fans can track the progress of the entire squad as they work to rectify these problems.
The next opportunity to show a response comes quickly. Bromley host AFC Wimbledon at Hayes Lane on Monday, September 7th. This represents an important chance to stop the rot, especially as it's a home game. Wimbledon are currently 18th in the table, just one place and likely only a few points above Bromley, making it a significant six-pointer even at this early stage.
A positive result is essential to build confidence and begin climbing away from the lower reaches of the table. The team's upcoming fixtures will be scrutinised for signs of the defensive solidity Woodman is demanding. Ending this poor run against a direct rival would provide a timely boost. The match kicks off at 3pm on September 7th at Hayes Lane.
