Ten more points will keep us up, predicts Chats boss - EXCLUSIVE

CHATHAM TOWN manager Steve Binks believes another ten points from their last thirteen games will secure the club’s Ryman League status, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Medway side welcome Whyteleafe to Maidstone Road on Saturday before travelling to Ashford Town next Tuesday, hoping to complete their Kent derby on the heavy pitch at The Homelands.

With Chatham Town in sixteenth place with 30 points from 29 games, Binks is confident that his side will be playing Ryman League Division One South football again in August.

“They normally say 40 points is a safe target, so we’re ten points off target,” Binks said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I’m not setting any targets, taking one game at a time, improve the side and try and get what we can out of the next game.”

And on the club’s current position, Binks added: “It looks a safe margin at the moment but you just can’t think like that.

“The sides near the bottom don’t want to go down. They’ll probably be looking to strengthen their sides and fight and we’ve got to do the same.”

Binks has some key players returning to his squad ahead of the visit of Surrey side Whyteleafe.

He said: “We’re in a position now we’ve got a few players coming back from injury.”

Rob Goodger (hamstring), Dave Botterill (ankle) and Tyran James (ankle) are all expected to return.

“Whyteleafe are a good footballing side,” warned the boss. “We’ve conceded some goals from set-pieces, which we’ve got to improve on but overall I’ve been pleased with the way things have been progressing since I’ve been in charge.

“Unfortunately we can’t keep the same side, I’ve only been able to keep the same side on two occasions.

“Defensively we’ve been very sound since I’ve been in charge,” said Binks. “The games that we’ve lost have been by the odd goal.”

And on the future, he added: “I think the future in the club is the youngsters progressing through the reserves and to blend them in with the experienced (first team players) we have.

“You can always improve any side and it would be nice to get better and more experienced players in but it’s a case of blending them in.”

Looking ahead to their Kentish derby at Ashford Town next Tuesday, Binks added: “We’re expecting a very heavy pitch. I thought it was pretty even Stevens when we went down there when it got abandoned.”

Dominic Elmes (ankle) and Chris Tedder (knee ligaments) are the only injury concerns at present.

Visit Chatham Town’s website:  www.chathamtownfc.net 

Chatham Town v Whyteleafe
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 16^th February 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 6ES