Alderton will have to fight for his place, insists Abbott

Friday 14th August 2009

SITTINGBOURNE boss Gary Abbott insists midfielder Rio Alderton and star striker Richard Brady will not walk back straight into his team for tomorrow’s opener against Whyteleafe, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Brickies welcome Whyteleafe - the last side to play them at Bourne Park last season - before travelling to Mark Tompkins’ Chipstead on Tuesday night, and Abbott, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of the new season, insists both players will have to fight for their shirts.

“I’m pleased with my squad,” he said. “I had Rio Alderton turn up last night. I’m a bit disappointed as I haven’t seen him for seven weeks - and Richard Brady, I’ve not seen him (play) for seven weeks so they’re not going to get straight back into the team - as much as we need them.

“People got away with quite a lot last year so those two have to fight for their place like everyone else, so it may take them two or three weeks to get into the side.”

When asked about Alderton’s absence, Abbott replied, “He didn’t show up, he’s had to sort out a bit of trouble. I’ve been told he’s had a lot on his plate.

“But we only train six or seven hours a week and if no-one can’t put in six or seven hours a week in training then I don’t know what to say really, they can’t really want it. I would never dream about doing that.”

Abbott, who has no injuries or suspensions, will treat both Surrey sides with respect, going into the first week of the new Ryman League Division One South season.

“You can’t predict whose going to be down the bottom,” he said. “Just because they finished down the bottom last year doesn’t mean they’re going to finish there.

“I’m not thinking about that, it’s a new season. Every manager in the league thinks they’ve got a side that will do well. Until you start the game you don’t know what teams are about.

“You can’t go by what they done last year. We finished sixth last year so we may not finish there again. It’s a new season, everyone’s got new players, everyone’s got a bigger budget than I’ve got.

“I’ve got a team that’s capable of finishing sixth again, otherwise the wouldn’t be with me.

“I want three points tomorrow and I want three points at Chipstead as well and I’m just hoping to get off to a good start.”

Abbott is pleased that former Ilford striker, Elie Kayembe, who scored three goals last season as third-choice striker, has re-signed for the club and he’s expected to start as the lone striker tomorrow.

“We’re going to start off with a 4-5-1 formation, especially at home with the size of our pitch.” revealed Abbott.

“I think we have to do that. It’s quite attacking and it works with us, that’s why we’re going to go with it. Elie will be the main target man, Hicham Akhazzan can do a job on the left and Bradley Spice on the right, which is quite a strong team.

“With Tom (Bradbrook) missing (through a long-term injury) we had to get someone in and I’ve been trying to get people in (but) with the budget it’s hard to get a player like that.

“To get Elie back it’s a new signing for us. He showed it at Canvey last week. I was well pleased with him. He looked strong, fit and he looked twice the player he was last year.”

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

Sittingbourne v Whyteleafe

Ryman League Division One South

Saturday 15th August 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Bourne Park, Central Park Complex, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB