Woking interim manager Craig Ross admitted his side are playing catch-up after starting their season with a 3-0 defeat at home to Sutton United.

Goals from Will Nightingale, Omar Mussa and David Ogbonna gave the U’s all three points in front of a crowd of 2,680 at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

Ross and Jake Hyde were placed in interim charge of the Cards just two weeks before the start of the season following previous manager Jermain Defoe’s departure.

“We were left in a situation that the lads themselves felt they weren't ready and where they should be at that point in pre-season,” said Ross.

“We are playing catch-up not just from a fitness point of view, but from a tactical point of view and an identity and a way of playing.

“We've effectively had a two-week pre-season. It's going to take a little bit of time.

“We had a meeting about this phase of the season. The first eight games are about trying to build momentum, get ideas across and put ourselves on a solid foundation to move forward.”

The Cards were undone by two set pieces for Sutton’s first two goals, and Ross felt there wasn’t much between the two sides.

“I think it's a flattering scoreline for them to be honest,” said Ross. “There wasn't much in the game.

“I don't think Will Jaaskelainen has had a great deal of saves to make and I don't think their goalie has either.

“We've been undone by two set pieces. The first one is sloppy from us – that needs to be better – and then the second one is a bit of magic from them.

“The third one is a little bit irrelevant because we were in the ascendancy at the time and were pushing to try to get back in the game. We were committing bodies forward and they caught us on the break.

“We're obviously bitterly disappointed. I told the lads it might feel like a big defeat, but the margins were so small.

“On another day the result could have been different. We've got to keep building on what we're doing.

“There were a lot of positives. We have to address what went wrong and move forward from there.

“It was a game of fine margins and we were on the wrong side of it.

“We just need to have more quality in the final third and defend our box a little bit better.

“There are plenty of positives but there's plenty to work on as well.

“It's a good thing we've got a full week's training – we can keep working on the messages and the identity of how we want to play.

“It's going to be a really important training week before we travel up to Gateshead and try to right the wrongs of this game.

“It was great to see the fans and my message to them is to stick with us. We're going to need them.

“We need their backing as much as they need us, so we really appreciate the support.

“We aim to put on performances they can be proud of. We'll give them something to cheer about next week.”