Kentish Football 
Seager aiming for nine points over festive period - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS
Whitstable Town manager Marc Seager is expecting a tough encounter at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.
The Oystermen are kicking at the heels of league leaders Thamesmead Town in what is a vital period in the Kent League title race.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” Seager predicted EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight. “Tunbridge Wells is always a tough place to go to.
“I think their league position is false, they're a much better side than their league position shows and it’s going to be a tough game for us.”
With leaders Thamesmead Town travelling to sixth placed, local rivals, VCD Athletic on Saturday, Seager needs his side to remain fully focused.
“We are concentrating on our own job that’s what we can do,” he said. “Whatever happens at VCD, we cannot drop silly points.
“We will do what we have been doing all the time, concentrating on our game.”
Seager, however, is delighted that his side have remained unbeaten in twelve league games up to the festive period and revealed what he tells his promotion chasing players before each game.
He said: “Same as I tell them every week. Go out there, enjoy yourselves and don’t come back with any regrets and play with a smile on your face.”
“I’m absolutely over the moon (with our start),” he said. “It’s such a big accolade to the players.
“They’ve gone out and got the results. We’ve got three tough away games left (this calendar year).
“If we can come out unbeaten it’s been a great year. Over the calendar year we’ve only lost three games at home, one was against Margate, a Ryman Premier League side, in the FA Cup so we haven’t had a bad year really.
“We’re not going to get carried away, get Tunbridge Wells out the way and then we worry about Herne Bay then.”
Seager takes his side to Winch’s Field on Wednesday 27th December, in what is arguably the biggest fixture during the Kent League season.
“League positions count for nothing, it’s going to be a tough game,” warned Seager.
“It’s all about local pride and in those games it’s who wants it most on the day.
“The lads will be up for it and if we can get a win on Saturday they’ll be looking to get another win.”
Seager, meanwhile, revealed that he is demanding nine points from their away trips to Tunbridge Wells, Herne Bay and Deal Town (Saturday 30th December).
“I’ve told the players that nine points from the end of the year (will enable us) to top the table,” he explained.
“I know they’re all away from home but we will go into the new year top of the table.”
Seager, however, demands that his players behave in a professional manner during the festive period as over indulging could harm their promotion push.
“It’s always a difficult time as well, players get into the festive period with work parties but I’ve got total confidence in my players,” he said.
“A lot of people finish work tomorrow, there’s plenty of time to get into the festive spirit but the people at the top of their trade give up things at times.
“If they want it more than anyone else, and look after themselves, then they will get their just rewards.”
But he added: “I couldn’t ask for a better set of lads. The lads know the way I want things done and the lads have got that winning mentality last year.
“We had that dodgy spell last year when we was going for everything and in the space of two weeks it went because we lost.
“It appears the lads have learnt from that experience, giving them that mental strength but we are not getting carried away as nothing is won in December.”
Alex Hossick serves the last of his three match ban on Saturday but other than that the Oystermen are at full-strength.
And it’s that strength that is causing concern for Seager’s opposite number, Martin Farnie.
The Tunbridge Wells manager has endured a poor campaign this term, but recent performances have hinted that his side should be climbing the table soon.
“It’s going to be difficult,” Farnie warned EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk. “We’ve had two games called off against Thamesmead and VCD and (now we’ve got) Whitstable - the three toughest sides in the league, a very hard tough period for us.
But Farnie hopes his players can become the first side to defeat Whitstable in Kent League action this season.
“Any team that (Marc) Seager is involved in is going to be difficult but saying that I’ve got a full complement of players so hopefully I can pick my full squad,” he said.
James Carter, whose on loan from Ryman League Division One South outfit Dartford, is expected to start up front.
“I’m going in there with an optimistic view, we’ve been playing quite well,” admitted Farnie, whose side are second from bottom, having picked up six points from their 12 league outings.
“I would like to win Saturday and have a good Christmas period and get some points on the table and have a good new year really.”
Maidstone resident Farnie, takes his side to Sevenoaks Town on Boxing Day morning (11am kick-off), and hopes victory at Greatness Park will spur on his side for a much improved new year.
Reflecting on the past year, the former Dartford coach said: “We’ve had real good highs where we done well in the FA Vase, hit some form and lows when we dipped off again.
“Injuries and suspensions and other issues have blighted me. I can’t put my best side out.
“If we played more regular over the last three weeks, I was fully loaded with a full deck of cards, this period could have been quite fruitful.
“It’s been hit and miss and too much inconsistent performances from too many people.
“That’s not from the younger element from the side, some of the senior players haven’t been hitting form.”
Farnie, however, has set his sights of finishing in a respectable midtable position and winning the Kent Senior Trophy.
They reached the final of that competition last season, losing on penalties to VCD Athletic at Welling United’s Park View Road in April.
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Tunbridge Wells v Whitstable Town
Kent League
Saturday 23rd December 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Culverden Stadium, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd