Munday targets precious points

Friday 30th October 2009

AFTER picking up their first point in eight games on Tuesday night, Whitstable Town boss Mark Munday goes into tomorrow's Ryman League Division One South game at the Belmont Ground against Corinthian-Casuals with a firm massage for his players, writes Mike Green.Speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, the Oystermen boss admitted that before the season, he and his number two Paul Lamb had targeted games where their side were most likely to pick up points.

“Against teams who have big budgets anything we get is a bonus,” he said.“Then again there are games where we would hope to get something out of – sides we need to beat if you like, and with all the best respect to them Corinthian-Casuals must fall into that bracket.

"Over the past few years they have been the perennial strugglers, but typical of the luck that we’ve had this season, they’ve started well so we’ll have to work really hard if we’re to get anything out of the game.”

Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw with Whyteleafe undoubtedly lifted some of the gloom at the Belmont, and indeed some of the pressure that was beginning to build on the managers shoulders.

Munday said: “After seven defeats on the bounce of course I felt the pressure – I’m a competitive person and I've been all my life. Every loss that we’ve suffered has hurt, and it really bugs me when we don’t get results.

"I know how the fans feel when they don’t think that the players have given it their all for 90 minutes – heck that’s been my biggest complaint all season.

"There’s been no pressure put on us by the club – the only pressure that we’re under is the pressure that we put on ourselves, and that’s the worst of all”

The draw against Whyteleafe was a vast improvement on Saturday’s drubbing at Worthing; a point that Munday was quick to acknowledge.

“It was better on Tuesday, even if we didn’t create as many chance as I’d have liked,” he said.

“There were signs that the will to win that we’re trying to install into the players is beginning to flicker.

"The players have the toughest job at any football club – Lamby and I can only try and push their buttons before they go out onto the pitch."

Thoughtfully he went on, “I saw on Tuesday that we were finally beginning to put into practice what we’ve been trying to get across. Next step is to get three points, as victories speak louder than words ever can.”

“A manager that Lamby and I both played under for some time said to us at the start of every season, “if we get 6 points off each of the sides in the bottom ten we’ll have a good season!” Now I’m realistic to know that we’re now one of those bottom ten, but our approach has got to be the same. The draw on Tuesday is the start – Saturday we must carry on the work we started only this time getting all three points.”

Munday will have first choice keeper Kevin Fewell hopefully available after returning from honeymoon, and will hope that his lengthy injury list eases.

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

Whitstable Town v Corinthian- Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 31^st October 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Belmont Ground, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QZ