Kentish Football 
Players' will keep their shirts if they play well, says newly appointed Whitstable boss Peter Nott
Thursday 27th January 2011
PETER NOTT says he is looking forward to taking charge of his first home game in charge of Whitstable Town on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.
The former Maidstone United boss was appointed seven days ago and his first game in charge resulted in a goal-less draw away to Chatham Town last weekend and he wants to impress the Belmont faithful when fourth-placed Leatherhead visit.
“It’s good, I’ve settled in very quickly,” said Nott. “I watched them quite a lot in between applying for the job and taking over. I had a long time in the stand, watching five of the six games as it was quite a long progress (between applying and the appointment.)
“Watching the team as many times as I did, I came in up and running. I assessed their strengths and weaknesses and how they fitted into the team. It also helped that I worked with Steve Nolan at Maidstone so we’ve been able to team up very quickly.
“It’s all going ok. It’s been just over a week and I’m still enjoying it. The first game, it wasn’t a great spectacle at all and we picked up a point and it’s something to build on and we’ve very much looking forward to Saturday’s game.”
Whilst caretaker manager, Nolan picked up eight points from five games, and as a result the friendly club have climbed out of the drop zone and go into Saturday’s game in 19th place with 21 points from 23 games, three points clear of the dreaded line.
“Not only he’s picked up some points, he’s instilled some belief in the team,” praised Nott.
“When I applied for the position in December, it was a big ask whether there was a realistic chance of staying up but I think that position, although it’s still difficult, has improved and one we look upon now of moving up the table.”
Looking ahead to his first home game in charge, Nott said: “I’m expecting an extremely tough test but what I will say with Leatherhead is since the turn of the year they’ve won one, drawn two and lost two. It’s probably fair to say it’s a good time to play them.
“Our recent form has been better than their’s and I want the players to go into the game with that belief.”
“It’s important we go into the game confident. We had a good session with the boys last night.”
With Scott Heard and new signing (from Maidstone United) James Peacock both ruled out through suspension, Nott said: “I’ve got a seventeen man squad to call from so it’s a great time to play them and I’m looking very much towards our very first home game and I fully expect us to get a result.”
Nott, who was speaking before he met supporters at a specially arranged meet-the-manager’s night at the club, expressed his blueprint.
“In terms of playing wise, I always like to play attractive football but to do that we need some ball winners and be competitive all over the field,” he said.
“I’m looking at Saturday’s game, we played very narrow but we haven’t got any natural wide players and we’re looking to change that as soon as possible.
“At this stage results are crucial and we will set up at times depending on how opponents’ play and we’ll set up to get a result out of the game.
“In time all my teams will be comfortable on the ball and a good passing side and that’s what we look to bring to the Whitstable people.”
Nott has bounced back from his time in charge of home-town club Maidstone United, where he was relieved of his duties when the Ryman Premier League club unveiled new owners earlier in the season.
“I enjoyed my time at Maidstone,” Nott said. “I don’t want to (dwell) on the way it ended, but it’s given me a good platform to build on.
“I think the important thing for me going forward is to have an open and honest relationship with the board and whatever budget I’m working to, I’m confident this time around the budget will be there and I can concentrate on footballing matters, rather than non-footballing matters, which unfortunately happened at Maidstone.
“It would be nice to really focus on the football side and leave the other side to the board to run, which they have done very well for a number of years.
“I don’t want to sound too negative and say staying up is the priority - but obviously it is! The club spent several years in the Kent League and we certainly don’t want to go back down there. We want to play as high as possible. The club has got a lot of ambition and that was very important for me to find out before I accepted the job. I want to be with a club that’s looking to look forward.”
With former Stone, Peacock, being his first signing, Nott is likely to delve into his contacts book to strengthen his squad - if needed.
“My phone’s been quite busy with enquiries from players I’ve managed in the past and it’s nice to receive those calls as it demonstrates I do have a nice relationship with the players.
“I’m a firm believe if players play well, they keep their shirt. I certainly don’t want to come in lock, stock and barrel with ready made replacements. If the players are doing a good job I won’t change it but I’ve got enough contacts to bring people in - if they’re better than what I’ve got.
“I’m comfortable with the squad of players I’ve inherited. I think we do need to strengthen in a couple of positions where we don’t have the type of players I like to have in my team. We’re not going to rush out and do it. It would be lovely if I took over a club in midtable and had time on my hands. I’m aware of not rocking the boat but we’ll do it on an as and when basis.”
www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.
Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk
Whitstable Town v Leatherhead
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 29th January 2011
Kick off 3:00pm
At The Belmont, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd