We're demanding better from each other because even though we’ve won 8-1, there’s still room for improvement, says Chatham Town winger Ryan Palmer

CHATHAM TOWN winger Ryan Palmer says there is room for improvement from his team-mates during the business end of the season.

 

The 28-year-old scored four goals for the first time in his senior career as Scott Lindsey’s men humiliated ten-man Erith & Belvedere 8-1 at Park View Road last night.

“I think it was a solid performance,” said Palmer.

“I think there’s still room for improvement. We’ve got high expectations at Chatham and I think it was a good performance.”

Stuart Webb has lost all four of his games in interim charge of second-from-bottom Erith & Belvedere, who are level on 19 points with Crowborough Athletic.

The Deres have been thrashed by Lordswood (0-4); K Sports (0-7) and Welling Town (2-7) and last night was the first time that they have leaked eight goals in a home game.

“I think all credit to them.  They’re obviously in a transitional stage.  I know the fella that’s taken over and they’re in that stage where they just need to get people in and get people out so it’s always tricky in their situation,” added Palmer.

“We can only play against the 11 men, or 10 men that we’re up against and we did in fairness.

“We had a bit more time than we expected, it’s not easy to score goals, so you play against what you’ve got in front of you and that’s what we’ve done.”

It was the first time that Palmer has scored four goals in a game in his 10-year non-league career.

“Do you know what, in my senior career from 18 when I was at Fisher Athletic to now I don’t think I’ve ever scored four,” revealed Palmer.

“It’s a great feeling, not going to lie, it’s a really, really great feeling. It’s always good to get that momentum and goalscoring edge to my game and that’s what I wanted to do.”

Palmer admitted Lindsey – who was previously assistant manager at League Two side Forest Green Rovers – has really brought on his game.

“I’ve settled well here at Chatham, the management team is excellent and I think this is the most I’ve ever learnt at a club,” said Palmer, who started the season with league rivals Canterbury City.

“What Scott gives us is expectation, professionalism, commitment, great strategy and tactics.  He has an identity of how he wants to play and we have to play like it!

“He drills us in training, we have video analysis, there’s a proper real professional set-up, the best set-up I’ve ever been in non-league and I’ve been around a lot of clubs.”

Beckenham Town leapfrogged over Corinthian to regain their place at the summit of the Sea Pioneer Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table after coming home from Deal Town with a 2-0 win last night.

Jason Huntley’s men are back on top with 51 points, Corinthian return to second-place with 49 points with a game in hand, while Sheppey United are third on 48 points.

Chatham Town are fourth on 47 points, while Saturday’s opponents, Tunbridge Wells are next on 43 points but with three games in hand.

“Tunbridge Wells are a team on good form,” said Palmer, ahead of the home clash against Richard Styles’ fellow promotion challengers.

“I know a couple of players’ down there, they’re going to be sky high confidence wise, a mixture of senior and young players in there, so they’ve got a good balance at the moment.

“It’s how we turn up and I say it again and again if we apply ourselves and we do what the management have drilled us into training to do well, go and beat any team and that’s what we’re aiming to do.

“Any team that comes in front of us, it doesn’t matter what name it is, we’re there for three points.

“I think it’s always exciting to be in a title-race and around teams that have that ambition and are in those positions to be able to play games of having that added incentive of going up and more of a driven purpose.

“It’s brilliant being apart of the changing room and that winning mentality.  It was important that we got the win. It was disappointing on Saturday, we had a lot of possession and it was still a 0-0 draw (at home to Welling Town).

“We were happy with the performance but frustrated not to hit the back of the net so it was a great little turnaround and hopefully we can keep getting those three points.

“I keep saying it, this is the business end of the season. We’ve got 12 games left, I say 12 cup finals. The boys know how important it is our preparation, how we fuel before, during and after the game, looking after our bodies and making sure we’re around each other and making sure we apply ourselves in training and continuing being as professional as we can and demanding better from each other because even though we’ve won 8-1, there’s still room for improvement.”

Visit Chatham Town’s website:  www.chathamtownfc.com

Chatham Town  v  Tunbridge Wells
Sea Pioneer Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 29 February 2020
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bournville Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6LR