It is very clear for all to see where our problems lie, says Whitstable Town boss Justin Luchford

WHITSTABLE TOWN boss Justin Luchford says he is looking forward to the massive game against league leaders Bognor Regis Town on Saturday.


Luchford was angry with his side after they were defeated 3-2 away to fellow strugglers Burgess Hill Town last weekend, a result that leaves the club in eighteenth place in the Ryman League Division One South table with 17 points from 20 games, three points clear of the drop zone.

“After the game on Saturday I was extremely angry and disappointed,” Luchford told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk.

“The players knew that in no uncertain terms in the team talk afterwards.  I always try and sleep on it and look at it again the next day, but my feelings didn’t change that much.

“As managers and coaches we work hard to try and give guidance to the players to give them the best opportunity to win football matches, but for some reason, the players are not doing what is being asked of them and we are paying for that.

“We have dropped points against Worthing and Burgess Hill when we should have claimed six.  I asked for improvements in every game and Richard (Langley) and I were in agreement that this was happening up until Saturday.

“People will always question tactics and why this and why that, as that is what football is, but we have had a game plan for the past few weeks and it has been working.   However, it didn’t work Saturday because the players didn’t follow instruction and that needs to change quickly.

“When I get it wrong I will hold my hands up and I will always defend my players to the hilt when they do what I ask of them but they didn’t do that Saturday.

“However, we are all still learning a little and as long as we work hard this week and put things right for Saturday then we can move on.

“It is very clear for all to see where the problems lie.  We have scored two goals in each of the last four games, which is championship form.  However, at the other end we are in relegation form.  We have to defend better as a team and collectively look to stand up and be counted when we don’t have the ball.”

Bognor Regis Town arrive at Belmont Road on Saturday sitting at the top of the table with 47 points from 20 games, although Dulwich Hamlet are level on points in second place, but with a game in hand.

Luchford said: “Now we turn our attentions to Bognor.  A massive game, hopefully a big crowd and time for a performance.”

Quotes courtesy of www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk  

Whitstable Town  v   Bognor Regis Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 17^th December 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP