If we can get into the play-off's, I'd be happy, says Welling United boss Jamie Day

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day says he will be happy for a place in the Blue Square Bet South play-off’s at the end of this season, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Wings only just missed out on a play-off place at the end of a traumatic campaign off the pitch but Day warned it’s going to be tough.

“I think a lot of teams have spent a bit of money in our league this year and there’s probably four or five, if I’m honest, who have improved their squad and should be competing for the title,” he said.

“If we can get into the play-off’s that will be a successful season for us.

“We’ve done well last year and we have to improve. I think the league’s a lot harder this season than it was last season.  If we can get into the play-off’s, I’d be happy.”

Reflecting on pre-season, the 31-year-old midfield play-maker said, “I think we’ve progressed nicely.  The two games against Charlton and Gillingham I thought we done well for 65 minutes. I was a little bit disappointed with the Margate game, excuses could have been made, but the rest of it, we’ve scored quite a few goals and looked sharp, so I’m looking forward to Saturday’s game.”

Welling United begin their campaign with a home game against Staines Town on Saturday, before making the trip down to Hampshire to tackle Havant & Waterlooville next Wednesday.

Day said: “I think (the Staines game) will be similar to last year when we played Hampton.  I think they will be difficult to break down, will be physical and obviously the first game everyone wants to try to win as well.  It’s not going to be easy and we need to be at our best if we’re going to get three points.”

The Wings can look forward to playing at Westleigh Park next Wednesday, a ground that suffered from numerous postponements over the condition of the pitch there last season.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” Day said ahead of next Wednesday’s trip to Havant & Waterlooville.

“I expect them to be there or there abouts at the end of the season.  It’s a difficult place to go to and get three points but it’s a trip we’re looking forward to.

“Hopefully the pitch will be quite nice at this stage of the season, so again, hopefully we can do ourselves justice and put in a good performance.”

Day was then asked which player in his squad he has high hopes for this season.

“I think there’s probably three or four players who I have high hopes for to push on and do well,” he replied.

“I think Jack Parkinson will be one of them. I think he’s looked extremely good in pre-season, along with Loick (Pires) and Joe Healy, they have all done reasonably well. 

“It would be wrong for me to signal one of them. It would be superb if they can live up to that tag.”

The Wings are experienced campaigners at this level and Day offered Tommy Warrilow some advice as Kent rivals’ Tonbridge Angels look forward to their inaugural Blue Square Bet South campaign.

Bexley born Day said: “It’s a big step up and I think there’s a big different in quality between the Ryman Premier and Conference South, but he’s signed a proven goalscorer in Jon Main.

“Like all of us really it’s how well you do at the start of the season.  If you pick up a few points and get some wins and a couple of draws it sets their season up and they’ll do reasonably well.

“I think Tommy will be happy if they finish in midtable.  Like us, if they get into the play-off’s, I think he will be happy.”

Visit Welling United’s website: www.wellingunited.com  

Welling United  v  Staines Town
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 13^th August 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY

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