UNDER-FIRE Welling manager Neil Smith says he will keep on fighting to show he is the man to lead the Wings to safety.

A disappointing festive period for Smith's beleaguered side was summed up by yesterday's 3-2 defeat at Fisher, but the rookie player-boss is determined to turn the situation around.

Welling supporters have become increasingly critical of Smith's role in recent weeks and the boss accepts some of the flak has been justified.

He said: "I can understand where the fans are coming from, but I just hope they can see the performances are getting better.

"The players are working their socks off at the moment and were very unfortunate not to come away with something from Fisher.

"A couple of lapses in concentration let us down and although the return of one point from nine from our Christmas games is disappointing, one plus is we have started scoring again."

He added: "I spoke to Barrie Hobbins after yesterday's game and there was no mention of my position being under threat.

"However, I know and accept it is a results game I am in and the results have not been as good as they might have been.

"Until I hear anything different, I will continue doing everything I can to turn things around."

Smith, who is in his first season as a manager, always knew life would not be easy at Park View Road and claimed he had been boosted by the support of fellow Blue Square South bosses.

He explained: "It has been very difficult at times in this division and I've had to learn a lot quickly.

"Losing some key players from last year was always going to have an impact, and the budget here is very tight.

"I've had quite a few phone calls from other managers in the league and they've all told me to keep plugging away and fighting on.

"Adie Pennock has told me to keep the faith and said it was always going to be tough after what happened last season."

Meanwhile, Mr Hobbins told News Shopper there might well come a time in the near future when Smith's position becomes untenable, although it hasn't arrived yet.

He said: "You've got to try to weigh up everything. Neil has worked very hard and he is as disappointed as we all are with the way results have gone.

"We will be as tolerant as we can, but obviously there will come a point when things might change.

"It is fair to say we can't go on indefinitely slipping down to the relegation zone."