We relish upsetting the big boys, says Binks - EXCLUSIVE

CHATHAM TOWN boss Steve Binks is relishing the underdog tag, especially when it comes to playing - and beating - the big-boys in their division, writes Stephen McCartney.

Binks is proud with the club’s record of playing clubs that are vying for promotion - and looks to “upset the applecart” again on Saturday.

Last weekend they completed the double over title-chasing Dover Athletic - the only club to beat Andy Hessenthaler’s men in the Ryman League Division One South this season - and they travel to fifth placed side Metropolitan Police searching for their second double of the season.

“It would be a nice double,” Binks said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

"We done the double over Dover and beat Met Police earlier in the season.

“Now we’ve got the return fixtures, we beat Dover away, it would be nice to get four wins.

“If we can pick up from where we left off Saturday, we’ve got a chance.

“If we can reach the heights that we did against Dover it would be a great three points so we’ll be looking to get a win if we can.”

Binks knows how to motivate his players ahead of their trip to Imber Court.

“I’ll just remind them that we keep upsetting the applecart,” he said.

“The local paper called us “little old Chatham Town” beating the “might of Dover” but it that’s the way people see us then little old Chatham Town are capable of upsetting the applecart.

“Over the last four seasons this club has got a good record against the top clubs.

“We got four points against Maidstone (last season), beat Boreham Wood (the year before), who got promoted, beat Tonbridge who got promoted.

“And indeed 14 of our 27 points this season have been against top five sides.”

Binks is always quick to point out the talented youngsters that he has at his disposal - but he’s got a selection headache this weekend.

John Whitehouse, who will have his six stitches removed on Friday, is rated 50-50 to play on Saturday, but Binks will need to decide if Steve Best, Matt Solly, Darren Smith retain their places having missed Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat at Margate in the quarter-finals of the Kent Senior Cup.

“I’ve got a real selection headache now on who to leave out,” said Binks.

“Some reserves have come in and stepped up to the plate and done exceptionally well. I’ve got real selection problems in all the team.

“The 19-20 year-olds from the reserves have done really well, there is really strong competition for places.”

Unlike some managers here in Kent, Binks has to throw youngsters in at the deep end.

“In a way we’ve got no choice but that’s not the way I want to put it,” he said.

“You can see the ability in these youngsters and you just have to be courageous enough to give them a chance.

“You can tell a lot of the time mentally the ones that can cope with it and do it.

“You worry about their physical strength and stamina but you can soon tell about how mentally they can cope but sometimes you can’t put all of them into the pot until you give them the chance.

“You give them a chance and they thrive on it.”

Reflecting on their midweek Kent Senior Cup exit at Hartsdown Park, Binks said: “We got off to a very sluggish start, very slow out of the traps and conceded midway through the first half.

“We stepped it up the gear second half, equalised early and the game could have gone either way.

“Disappointed we couldn’t get through but (Margate boss) Robin Trott praised afterwards how well we played and our goal was a really good worked goal.”

Chatham Town welcome Worthing to Maidstone Road next Tuesday.

“It’s good to have all the players’ available as we will need fresh legs,” said Binks.

“Again Worthing are another side doing well. I don’t know much about them.

“I just want to concentrate on how we play to the best of our ability and look forward to the challenge.”

Visit Chatham Town's website: www.chathamtownfc.net

Metropolitan Police v Chatham Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 26^th January 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Imber Court, Ember Lane, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 0BT