I'm very confident and upbeat and think we're going to be alright, says VCD Athletic boss Keith McMahon

VCD ATHLETIC manager Keith McMahon says he is feeling confident as he aims to keep the club in the Ryman Premier League at the end of last season.

 

Form has picked up in recent weeks but the Crayford-based outfit remain in the relegation zone, sitting second-from-bottom on 13 points from 22 league games, nine points adrift of safety.

The Vickers travel to Aveley tomorrow to tackle tenth-placed Grays Athletic and McMahon is keen to keep the club’s Great Escape on track.

“It’s a tough game for us,” said McMahon, who will be without midfielders Richie Graham and Richard Avery, who both serve a one-match ban after picking up five bookings.

“We need to go there and show that intensity and work.”

VCD Athletic were held to a goal-less draw at home to Leiston last Saturday.

“Listen, we’re going there confident because of how well we played against Leiston, who are a very good side and will be in the play-offs,” said McMahon.

“We’re strong and we have to keep to our form and believing.

“We need to keep winning and getting results.  The last nine or ten games we’ve been competing and doing well.

“We drew Saturday and won the two before.  The away win at Harrow Borough was excellent. 

“The performance on Saturday against Leiston was excellent so we just have to keep going.

“There’s a lot of confidence and balance about us.

“I’ve got a lot of positivity that we’re going to be ok. I think we’re going to pick up a lot of points and beat a lot of sides.”

When asked how many points the club have to get to beat the drop, the former Thamesmead Town manager replied: “You’ve got to be looking at 42-45 points because it’s difficult, teams are beating everyone.

“We just need to put a run of three or four wins together and see how we go. 

“I’m not panicking. It’s half the season to go.  Our season only started 8-10 weeks ago which seems a lot because of all the changes we’ve had to make around the club.”

Previous boss Tony Russell won his final six games in charge of the club to keep the club in the Ryman Premier League, before taking over at Ryman League Division One North side Cray Wanderers and taking a high number of players with him.

McMahon said: “I’m very confident and upbeat and think we’re going to be alright.  I don’t want to leave it until the last six because we’re good enough to get out of it before that. We’re not looking to leave it until the last few games. We’ll keep momentum and pick up points along the way.”

Visit VCD Athletic’s website: www.vcdathleticfc.uk

Grays Athletic  v  VCD Athletic
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 5^th December 2015
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Mill Lane, Mill Field, Aveley, Essex RM15 4SJ