It's vital we start picking up some points, says Welling United boss Jamie Day

WELLING UNITED player-manager Jamie Day has told his off-colour side to snap out of their bad spell of form - or face losing out of a play-off berth at the end of the season.


The Wings slipped down a place to third in the Blue Square Bet South table after suffering a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Weston-Super-Mare at the weekend.

“Obviously disappointed with the result,” said Day.

“First half we’ve had a spell of 25-30 minutes when we have not defended properly as a team and gave two sloppy goals away.

“Second half we were on top and we didn’t take any opportunities and in the end we never got anything from it.

“We said to the boys after, we haven’t played too badly from the last three or four games but we haven’t got anything to show from it and we need the experienced lads to chip in with a bit more over the next couple of weeks.”

The Wings, who remain unbeaten at home in the league, have collected 47 points from 25 games and lost second spot to Chelmsford City, who came away from Truro City with a 2-0 win at the weekend.

Only four points separate the four play-off berths and Day doesn’t want to lose out like last year.

He said: “It’s vital we start picking up some points or we’ll get caught up and lose out on a play-off place.”

Welling United welcome fourteenth-placed Havant & Waterlooville to Park View Road on Tuesday night, looking to extend their unbeaten home league run to thirteen games.

“Tomorrow is an important game,” said Day.  “We’ve got some important games coming up so we need to pick up some points.

“We don’t want to have the same situation as last year when we were in the play-off’s all season and they we slipped away.

“We’ve had a few injuries and it’s a bit difficult at the minute but we knew this would happen and we have to deal with it and get a few wins.

“We’re looking for the experienced boys to dig in and turn this little blip we’ve had over the last five or six years.”

Day added: “We know it’s going to be a tough game.  They’ll be big, physical and they’re fighting for points as well as they want to climb the table.

“They’ve had a win (over Maidenhead at the weekend) so confidence has picked up but at the same time if we can perform we know we’ve got enough to get a result – but if we don’t and feel sorry for ourselves after getting beat at the weekend then we’re in for a difficult night.”

Day was asked for the latest situation concerning Andy Pugh, 22, and the 19-goal striker’s one-off move to Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Cambridge United.

Day said: “He’s still with us but he’s injured at the moment.  He won’t play on Tuesday. We think he’s a week away until he’s fully fit.  Once he’s fit no doubt he’ll have a medical for Cambridge.

“It’s not great for us as we can’t sign anyone or do anything until he’s gone officially.  That hinders us a little bit and hopefully that can get done sooner or later.”

Day has already brought in much-travelled striker, Warren McBean, on non-contract terms.

McBean, 25, started his career in Barnet’s youth side and rose through the ranks to eventually play a part in the side that won promotion back to the Football League in 2005.

After spells at clubs such as Braintree and Eastleigh, McBean joined Bromley for the 2008/09 season making over 100 appearances and scoring almost 50 goals for the Hayes Lane club.

But the striker has struggled for form over the past year with unsuccessful spells at Chelmsford City, Havant & Waterlooville and a third-spell at Bromley followed towards the end of last year, before dropping down a division to sign for Margate of the Ryman Premier League football, but he featured for only 58 minutes for Chris Kinnear’s side.

But Day hopes the striker recaptures his goalscoring form, shown during his first spell with neighbours Bromley and Sutton United before then.

“We said to Warren, ‘you’ve got an opportunity now’ that he didn’t think he would have.

“It’s down to him to take that chance. He came on Saturday and looked quite lively.

“He’s still not match fit so he’s going to take a couple of games to get into the swing of things.  It’s an opportunity for him.  We know he can score goals at this level and be a handful. 

“It’s a good addition to the squad.  We want to get Loick (Pires) back because he’s done well this year.”

Reflecting on his current injury situation, Day said: “Obviously Pughie is on-off with Cambridge and he’s been injured as well so he’s not fit.  Loick’s not fit, Jack Obersteller’s not fit.

“Faz (Loui Fazakerley) is carrying a knock still and we’re forcing him to play a little bit.  Ben Martin’s carrying a groin.”

Day added: “There’s three or four that are playing with knocks and a couple still injured and out, which has narrowed the squad a little bit.”

Meanwhile, any paying spectator for this game will be given a voucher entitling them to half-price admission when the Wings host Weston-Super-Mare on Tuesday 6 March.

Wings general manager, Barry Hobbins told www.wellingunited.com: “We want to encourage as many fans as possible to come and get behind Jamie Day and the team.

“The players have had a magnificent first half to the season and knowing the role our fans play at home then they would welcome as many fans as possible to take advantage of this offer.”

In addition, the Wings are offering free-admission to under 12s for Saturday’s home game against Farnborough.

Meanwhile, a statement published by Margate on their website www.margate-fc.com, says 33-goal striker Kwesi Appiah, 21, who signed a two-year contract last July, is staying at Hartsdown Park.

“Margate is not commenting on the speculation surrounding Kwesi Appiah’s potential move away from the club.  No deal has been concluded for the Margate striker.”

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

Welling United  v  Havant & Waterlooville
Blue Square Bet South
Tuesday 17^th January 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY