By Robert Stock
November 17 2004

Airbus UK Manager Rob Lythe has admitted that his side have not adapted to life in the Welsh Premier as well as he had hoped. The Planemakers are languishing 2nd from bottom with just 4 points to show from their first 10 games.

With only fellow new-boys Llanelli below Airbus due to the fact they have yet to secure even one point so far this season, it is understandable why Airbus Manager Rob Lythe is a little disappointed to find his club stuck in the relegation zone after 10 games, especially after getting off to an opening day flyer at Newtown. 'The standard is consistently higher that of the Cymru Alliance and we are only now finding our feet. Generally teams are much fitter, taller, stronger, better organised and punish mistakes' explained Lythe.

'The Newtown game was a good performance' said Lythe 'and we also played quite well against Cwmbran and really well against Aber but lost them both 1 - 0 after failing to take chances. The heavy defeats to Welshpool , Haverfordwest and TNS do not worry me as we have learnt from them and are now a better team for it. Last season we could score for fun and use to throw men forward to get back in a game this season that is not as easy as you get hit on the break and teams are much harder to break down.'

Despite adding to their squad before the campaign, notably Paul Dowridge and Joe Desormeaux from Welsh Premier neighbours NEWI Cefn Druids, Lythe would still like to add to his largely inexperienced squad. 'Paul Dowridge and Steve Hopkins have improved our defence. Joe Desormeaux is settling in slowly as he has been hampered by work commitments. Lee Acott a forward from Flint has give up as he was finding things too tough and we have also been burdened with a number of injuries to key players.'

Lythe recently secured the services of ex-Wrexham and Wales U21 goalkeeper Paul Whitfield. Whitfield was highly rated during his time at the Racecourse but sadly failed to make the grade, and upon his release at the end of last season Bangor City manager Peter Davenport lured him to Farrar Road with the opportunity of first team football. Unfortunately, Whitfield failed to keep his place and was replaced by ex-TNS stopper Richard Acton just a few games into the season. Bangor's loss was Airbus' gain and 'Whits' has put in a number of impressive performances since moving to The Airfield.

Despite his clubs' shaky start, Lythe is confident the Broughton-based club can avoid an immediate return to the Cymru Alliance. 'Our target is quite simply to stay up, it always was. Short term we must keep improving and to progress in the welsh cup and get another win in the WPL are our next objectives.'