Hopefully we can play our way out of trouble, says Chatham Town boss Paul Foley

CHATHAM TOWN manager Paul Foley says his side must improve if they are to climb up the league table, writes Stephen McCartney.

 

The Medway side have gone seven league games without a win and are only four points above the Ryman League Division One South relegation zone, having averaged one point from each of their 22 league games this season.

Eighteenth-placed Chatham welcome the side immediately above them in the table, Fleet Town, tonight and a win over the Hampshire side will ease their relegation concerns.

Foley, who was speaking to, www.chathamtownfc.net, reflected on the season so far.

He said: “With half of the season gone we can now take stock of the season so far and assess how we have done before we head into the last half of the season. 

“In very simple terms it is nowhere near good enough. The first two games ‘back’ after the snow lay-off against Ramsgate and Merstham were a good snapshot of our season really. Both games should have been closed out, both games were effectively won but we made basic errors to allow our opponents back in so instead of picking up 6 points we end up with the solitary one.

“We must improve significantly on what will be an important month in January with a flurry of games coming up including some sides around us in the table. It is still within our grasp to go on a decent run and move up the table.

“With the players we have seen at the club this year we should have many more points on the board that’s for sure.”

Reflecting on Saturday’s 2-1 defeat away to fellow strugglers Corinthian-Casuals, which saw Kane Rice and Brad Potter both red-carded, Foley said: “It was the worst performance to date and right up there with the worst I have witnessed as a manager. We were very poor and a few lads need to have a very long look at themselves and ask themselves some very searching questions.

“We were coming up short earlier in the season in the tough encounters so we went out and got in some experienced lads who should help in those games which are frequent in this league but on Saturday we were miles off the pace and got what we deserved.

“We were thin on the ground on Saturday with suspensions to Gary Ward and David Hunt (both 1 game remaining) and with Joe Fuller and Uche Ibemere both injured but there was still plenty on the pitch to get a result. We welcome back the new dad Ryan Laker and Aaron Firth who has served his long suspension.”

Foley revealed that he has lost two of his more experienced campaigners, striker Leroy Huggins, the versatile Ray Powell and long-serving midfielder, Matt Solly.

He said: “We are in the process of signing another forward who will give us another option as unfortunately Leroy has accepted an offer from East Thurrock which we were aware of leading up to the game on Saturday.

“Losing Leroy is disappointing but is exactly why we have pulled Aaron (Frith) back into the fold.

“East Thurrock put forward a very good deal for Leroy and he has decided to take up the offer.

“Similarly Razor (Powell) has accepted a good offer from Dulwich Hamlet. 

“We had four approaches for four players in the week leading up to the game on Saturday with two turning the approaches down and the other two leaving their options open.

“We made it clear that we wanted to move forward with players that are behind the club for Tuesday’s game onwards so we say good bye to Leroy and Razor and thank them for their efforts. That is non-league football unfortunately and you cannot get too worked up about it – you just have to go and get a replacement or two.

“Leading up to Saturday’s game Matt Solly advised the club that he wanted to move on. While I did not want Matt to leave I respect his wishes for guaranteed football which we cannot guarantee anyone, and that has always been the policy.

“This is big news for the club and Matt as he has been here for many years and has been a loyal servant. I wish him all the best wherever he lands and gets back to playing his best football again.”

Foley has noticed the change in style in the division, having guided VCD Athletic to their highest ever position, in their one and only Ryman League Division One North campaign last season.

“Now that I have seen a fair bit of the league I can safely say it is a tougher league than the North,” said Foley.

“Oddly enough the pitches are not the best in the North but more teams do try to play football. This league is more physical and robust and many sides play a direct style of football. This is not something we would prefer to do but when these sides are above you in the table it does need to be addressed so we are looking to strike a balance and should have the players to do that now.

“Every game is a battle and you need the right players available every game.
“We have missed some key players this season at various times and that upsets the balance of the side. The side I had planned back in August was looking in good shape before injuries and suspensions put paid to those plans!

“We have rebuilt the squad really and have seen a few come and go at the club but that is only because of the problems we have encountered with injuries and suspensions.

“So we head into an important phase of the season and hopefully we can react positively to the poor game on Saturday and take the very good aspects of the Ramsgate and Merstham games into tonight and beyond whilst eradicating the poor decision making and defending that have also cropped up in those games, especially the Merstham game.”

Foley added: “It is also pleasing to see players like Billy Shinners, Uche Ibemere and earlier in the season Ryan Laker taking their chances and showing some of the older more experienced lads what they need to do.

“Hopefully we can get more consistent levels for the second half of the season and play our way out of trouble."

Quotes courtesy of www.chathamtownfc.net

Chatham Town  v  Fleet Town
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 18^th January 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bournville Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6ES