MIKE Savage believes the next seven days will have a massive impact on how the Bees start the new campaign in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division.

The latest blow to Bridport’s pre-season preparations came in the form of a late postponement at the weekend when Hillingdon Borough cancelled their trip to St Mary’s Field just 24 hours before kick-off due to a lack of players.

Add that to several injuries and the disruptions caused by the recent wet weather, and the Bees could be forgiven for thinking Lady Luck has completely deserted them. However, they do have three friendlies this week which Savage is hoping will help turn the tide.

The Bees’ assistant-manager told Echosport: “Considering we have only played two friendlies so far and lost them both, Saturday’s postponement was a big blow because we need to be getting some confidence into the lads and only performances and results can do that.

“The fact Hillingdon cancelled on us so late meant we were unable to arrange anything else but at least we have got three friendlies this week, which we need to make the most of.

“If we can put some good displays together in those then that will set us up nicely for our opening game on August 4 at Barnstaple Town.”

Savage went on to add: “The recent wet weather has made this pre-season the worst I have ever known.

“Normally we are up to speed and running now at this stage but the flooding we had recently has caused major disruptions in terms of training and in many ways it has been very frustrating.

“We also have several players out injured like Sam and Joe Charles, and Tom Richardson but at the end of the day all we can do is get on with it.

“We just need to get some consistency going in terms of performance. If we can do that over the next seven days and get some confidence, the results will then take care of themselves.”

The Bees will travel to Westland Sports tomorrow night (7.45pm) before hosting a Plymouth Argyle XI on Thursday (7.45pm) and Bournemouth Poppies on Saturday (3pm).