I want the boys' to enjoy playing Dagenham and show people they're good players, says Nicky Southall

WHITSTABLE TOWN boss Nicky Southall says his players will be fit for their opening pre-season friendly on Saturday.


The Oystermen have had seven training sessions going into their home game against League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge at Belmont Road.

Southall, 41, who played for Hartlepool United, Grimsby Town, Gillingham (four spells), Bolton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and Dover Athletic during his career, has invited Wayne Burnett to bring his side down to play the Ryman League Division One South club, who have adopted a more professional approach going into the new season.

Middlesbrough-born Southall said: “I’m really delighted to be fair with the players, they’ve been fantastic and showed a great attitude, a great desire and a great work ethic and I’m really pleased with those turned up and it’s progressing nicely.

“We’ve had seven sessions as we speak so I think we’re well ahead of the game in terms of fitness.  The boys’ are looking good, their bodies are starting to change in a nicest kind of way, looking stronger physically.

“They look like a professional player and that’s what I wanted.  I spoke post season after the games last year and we wanted to turn everything on a more professional level and I think the boys’ are buying into it. It’s really good to see.

“Some of the boys have been used to certain ways and certain techniques in training and they seem to be buying into it so it’s looking really good.

“The first game will give us a good indication of where we are at with fitness.”

That first game cannot come any harder than League Two Dagenham & Redbridge.

Southall said: “I want the boys to enjoy it. There’s no pressure and to go out and show people that they’re good players.

“We’re looking at the right kind of players to bring into Whitstable. There’s no point turning up, we don’t want them to be overawed. Just enjoy it because there’s no pressure in these games.

“Dagenham have done us a huge favour to bring a team down so let’s embrace it and let’s get behind the whole club and hopefully we’ll get a few (people) through the gate.”

With their Ryman League Division One South campaign kicking off in six weeks’ time on Saturday 10 August, the Kent side face a stiff challenge against The Daggers.

“That’s why I brought the boys in early,” explained Southall.

“It’s a difficult one because we’ve got this early Dagenham & Redbridge game so I wanted the boys’ to have some sort of fitness levels going into this early game because I didn’t want them to go out and embarrass ourselves.

“I want to give them a good game so they know they’ve been in a game and getting after them – that’s what they want.

“We want to conduct ourselves in a professional manner against a professional club and that’s what I want from my players and that’s what they expect from me.

“I just want to put a good performance in. We’re not expected to win the game but let’s put on a good show and show people we’re heading in the right direction.”

Southall revealed he will utilise around nineteen players for their opening warm-up.

“I’m looking at probably eighteen, maybe nineteen players to be involved,” said the former Gillingham midfielder.

“We’ve have about 40 off players at the minute turning up for training, some of them are under 21s and under 18s as well as well as trailists I’ll be having a look at.

“I’ve got a few with niggles and the different type of training is catching up on a few so I might rest a couple but we’re looking quite good.

“I’m still talking to players as we speak.”

Southall heaped special praise on striker Mo Takalobighashi, who scored 22 goals in 25 games for Ashford United last season, who were playing two league’s below Whitstable Town, in the Kent Invicta League.

“Mo Takaloo has come in and he’s been a stand out performer so far throughout pre-season,” revealed Southall. 

“I don’t like to name people individually because they’re all putting in a fantastic effort.

“People said, as you do your background checks on the likes of Mo and other players, that he could be a bad egg – not in my eyes. He’s taking it on board and it’s a fresh challenge and he wants to prove people wrong that he deserves another chance at this level again.  I’m really delighted with his attitude and his work ethic.”

MATCH COVERAGE:
www.kentishfootball.co.uk shall be covering this game on Saturday, with report and reaction over the weekend.  Our Twitter feed. www.twitter.com/KentishFootie  will provide updates too.

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Whitstable Town  v  Dagenham & Redbridge
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 29^th June 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Belmont Ground, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP