Munday focuses on starting well at Whitstable

Friday 14th August 2009

MARK MUNDAY has today vowed to get his managerial career with Whitstable Town off to a winning start - at Burgess Hill Town on Sunday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Munday and assistant Paul Lamb, who have taken the reigns from Marc Seager (who quit following the last game of last season through family commitments) and Simon Halsey (who has taken a number two role at Kent League neighbours Herne Bay), want their charges to start their new Ryman League Division One South campaign well.

The Belmont outfit go into their third campaign at this level with an unwanted reputation of starting their season slowly - before reaching boiling point after Christmas.

And Munday, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of the new season, wants to change that.

“I think that’s what Whitstable, in the last few years since they’ve been at this level, have failed to do I think, is to have a good start,” he said.

“Where I’ve been as a player it’s imperative that you do have a good start and that sets you up for the middle and makes the latter part of the season, when you have points on the board, a little bit easier.

“Whitstable have been slow starters, but they’ve always been strong finishers, so if we reverse that with respects of the slow start and keeping the finish the same, it will bode well.”

Margate based Munday wants his side to keep a clean sheet at Leylands Park on Sunday afternoon.

“Focusing a little bit more on the goals against column, making us a little bit more competitive,” is what he wants to do.

Munday added: “Keeping all the ethics that we had at the latter part of last season, keeping them in place and making sure we pick up points when we should pick up points.

“There’s not a formula, it’s just keeping competitive, making yourself hard to beat. The teams that do well in this league, their goals against column are very good. Big, strong, competitive sides normally do well in this league.”

When asked what he is expecting from Burgess Hill, Munday replied, “I know they’ve had a couple of changes in manager in the last year or so, a new coach, but I believe the majority of their side they had in the latter stage of last year are still there.

“I think the early parts of the season you cant really judge where sides are going to be.

“Last year at home we got a bit of a tonking but by the time we met them again in the return match at their place they were in a lower position than us.

“Everyone’s always 110% up for it in the early part of the season. League positions are nothing in the early part of the season so everyone’s looking ahead to do well, we all are. Everyone starts on zero points so everyone wants a good start to be there or there abouts.”

Munday revealed that he will be joining Lamb in the away dug-out on Sunday afternoon - and says he will make the transition from player to manager without any fuss.

“A few people said to me are you itching to get your boots on and play? - and at the moment, no, I’m not,” he said.

“I’ve got too much going on as a manager, you have lots and lots of things that go on, which is new to me. Lots of people to speak to, which I’ve got no problem with that. It keeps Whitstable in the spotlight and people like yourselves covering non-league football is great, because it brings it to the local people, which is what it’s all about.

“When it comes to the training pitch and the matches that’s where you earn your corn and that’s where you live or die by results.

“It’s a new experience and one I’m relishing and enjoying at the moment.”

Munday added: “I think most of the lads have been used to having a player manager. I know Marc was a player manager at one stage and the majority of the guys that were there have played with him and been under him as a manager and it made no difference to them.

“You have to have your certain boundaries, they realise that I will be making the decisions but me and Paul are approachable. We’re not one of those that will be shouting and bellowing. We won’t be distancing ourselves.

“It will be a collective changing room and all together but ultimately I will be the one that makes the decisions on performances and formations.

“I think they respect that and they’re used to a player coming in as manager and so far it hasn’t proved to been a problem to the majority of them.

“I think they know the boundaries, they’re a good set of lads and long may that continue.”

Clint Gooding, meanwhile, serves the first of the first of his three match suspension at Burgess Hill.

“He’s got a suspension that is rolled over from last year, which is unfortunate,” said Munday. “Clint has looked very fit and he can’t wait to get started on the football side.

“It’s a shame as Clint was a mainstay last year and he will be a big part this year. It opens up the opportunity for other people and give other people an opportunity to nail down a shirt for the next three games.

“We’ve got a lot of games coming up so the squad will be used.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.

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

Burgess Hill Town v Whitstable Town

Ryman League Division One South

Sunday 16th August 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Leylands Park, Maple Drive, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 8DL