We need to turn draws into wins, says Whitstable Town boss Peter Nott

Tuesday 08th February 2011

WHITSTABLE TOWN manager Peter Nott says he wants his side to turn draws into wins.

The Oystermen remain just one place (and two points) outside of the Ryman League Division One South relegation zone following their 1-1 draw at Burgess Hill Town, which was their eleventh league draw of the season.

“We are fast becoming the draw specialist. In some respects it shows how much we have improved but we need to turn these draws into wins; then I shall be happier,” Nott told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk.

“I am pleased it has been a team effort, one in which young Shaun Smith in goal has played his part; he is a young player, a bit rusty round the edges, a bit like an unpolished stone but a player who I really rate as a prospect.

“I am bringing in a first rate goal keeping coach (Alan Rogers) to work with Shaun which I believe at this stage in his career will help him develop as a more complete player.

Nott is pleased that two new signings, from his former club Maidstone United, have settled in well.

“I was pleased with the way than Ant Bodle and James Peacock worked together in the middle of the park, they won more than their fair share of battles and that is important as it takes pressure off the back four at the same time releases our wide players to get forward.

“Overall despite the conditions I was pleased that we tried to play football.

“After the game on Saturday Steven Lloyd said how much he enjoyed having Peter Hawkins alongside him, he said that his experience really showed and he is a great talker.

“I wanted to find the right spot for Hawkins but at the same time was keen to retain both Lloydy and Louis Smith in the side as they have been excellent since I joined the club. I was pleased with the way they all worked as a unit.

Nott is pleased that striker Ian Pulman has taken his goalscoring tally to fourteen league goals and that is important if the club are to avoid relegation at the end of the season.

But Nott explained why third-choice striker, Stuart Vahid, has left the club.

He said: ”Ian is on fire, it looks like he works well together with Lloyd Blackman up front and I am pleased that the pairing works so well. One bit of bad news is Stuart Vahid has called me stating he wants first team football.

“I have tried to talk Stuart as I saw him as part of the club; but he has made his mind up that he wants to move on to get minutes on the pitch. He has been first rate since he has been with me and I just wish I had the chance to work longer with him, but wish him well and thank him for his time and effort since he has been at the club.

Nott will cast his eye over some fringe players in a home reserve team fixture tonight, ahead of the visit of fourteenth placed side Merstham on Saturday.

“Yes I shall be thinking about the weekend but first up is the lads who did not feature at the weekend; they will be in the side as the reserves play Herne Bay on Tuesday evening at the Belmont,” revealed Nott.

“I shall be playing six of the first team for the reserves and hope to see a number of our supporters at the game which should be a good run out for the lads.”

He added: Fitness, discipline, work rate and the right attitude is all I ask of the players in my team, those are attributes that I can work with.

“If I get that from all my players then we will have a team who can compete at this level, once that’s in place we can think about moving on to the next.”

Article courtesy of www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Whitstable Town v Merstham
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 12^th February 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Belmont, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QJ