NEW signing Brian Dutton reckons Weymouth can turn around their poor run of form, starting this weekend at old rivals Havant and Waterlooville.
The midflelder impressed on his Terras debut during last Saturday’s miserable home defeat to Eastbourne Borough.
But the former Cambridge United youngster reckons his new side are good enough to get back in the Conference South play-off hunt.
The 19-year-old told Echosport: “It was really disappointing to lose the other day because we had most of the possession but couldn’t turn that into goals.
“I was relatively pleased with my own performance but was disappointed because we didn’t win and ended up losing to a bit of a fluky goal.
“But despite the defeat, I like what I have seen in my two games so far.
“The manager Steve Johnson is ambitious, there are some very good players at the club and it’s nice to be playing in front of a big crowd.
I’m only a young lad and the way I see things I’m here to improve my footballing education.
“I want to return to the professional game one day but hopefully I can get back into the league with Weymouth.”
Dutton, who has moved to the resort from North Yorkshire, spent a season with Coca-Cola League Two strugglers Cambridge United before being released.
He then linked up with local Northern Counties outfit Pickering Town.
Dutton said: “I was doing okay at Cambridge under manager John Taylor but then he was sacked and things went a bit downhill.
The new boss Herve Renard came in and had his own ideas and I was released which was disappointing.
“I went back to my local club Pickering Town for a while before I got in touch with the Professional Footballers’ Association and they put me in contact with Weymouth.
“I’ve enjoyed the last week or so, am now living in the club’s digs and hopefully I can get a run of games and make a positive impact.”
Boss Johnson hailed Dutton’s debut and said he was hopeful the teenager would be the midfield battler he has been looking for.
He said: “Brian’s a strong, physical player who has also got good footballing ability.
“He’s signed a deal until the end of the season and we’ll sit down and discuss things further in the summer.
“But if he continues in the form he showed against Eastbourne, I’m hopeful we can get him on a longer term deal.”
• Shaun Wilkinson returned to action for Weymouth last night as his side went down 2-1 to Bristol City Reserves at the Wessex Stadium.
The midfielder, back from a loan spell at Havant and Waterlooville, played 45 minutes of the friendly before being withdrawn with an ankle injury.
The visitors secured victory through second half strikes from winger Joe Anyinsah and Elliot Benyon.
Terras striker Ludo Cadima netted a late consolation goal, heading in from Darren Wheeler’s cross.
Boss Steve Johnson used the game to field a host of players in different positions, including defender Bradley Thomas up front.
