Tooting and Mitcham boss Roberto Forzoni has admitted that he “massively” underestimated the style of football they would face in the Ryman League Division One South.

After relegation from the Premier Division, Forzoni began this season by recruiting a young squad and promoting a passing style of football.

However, the Terrors’ only league win came on the opening day and since then they have lost three on the bounce.

Admitting they were facing stronger and more “tactical shrewd” teams, Forzoni has brought in a raft of experienced names to change the club’s fortunes.

He said: “The physicality of teams at this level seems to be more important than technique and speed.

“We lost against Faversham and Horsham who are physical sides – they play in a direct way but it is effective.

“We need to learn how to deal with those types of games and we need to learn pretty quick or we’ll go into Christmas at the bottom of the league and no one wants that.”

Forzoni has recruited former Dulwich Hamlet skipper and central defender Francis Duku, right back Ryan Adams and Tyrone Berry, a former Crystal Palace midfielder.

Ahead of the league trip to Three Bridges on Saturday, Forzoni said: “I massively underestimated how effective teams’ direct and physical football would be.  

“Some teams’ average is five or six years older than ours and they are a lot shrewder and cleverer players. Hopefully our new players will help the younger cope better.”