Kentish Football 
We owe our supporters one and we must deliver them three points, says Peter Nott
Friday 08th April 2011
WHITSTABLE TOWN boss Peter Nott says his side owe their supporters a performance and must deliver three vital points in what is a relegation dog-fight against Chatham Town tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.
A weakened Whitstable suffered an embarrassing 6-0 defeat to high-flying Metropolitan Police in their last home game and Nott wants his side to claim a massive three points against a Chatham Town side that have gone ten games without winning.
Paul Foley’s beleaguered side suffered a 1-0 home defeat to basement side Horsham YMCA last weekend, whilst Whitstable were defeated 3-0 at Leatherhead - although that game was goal-less with fifteen minutes left.
Whitstable are languishing one place above the relegation zone and a win for Nott’s men will take them six points clear of their Kent rivals, who are one place beneath them.
“It’s a big game for both teams,” Nott said on the eve of the Belmont bash.
“All I will say is it’s one of five real massive games that we have got to play between now and the end of the season, so it’s a game that we really want to win, but saying that nothing’s going to be decided tomorrow.
“It’s how we perform between this game and the last four games. I’ve said all along 45 points is the target from the very first day I took over and we’re nine points away from that, which means in my view we need to win three out of the five and it will be a great start if we get the first one tomorrow.”
Nott hopes his side hold their nerve, in what is the club’s biggest game of the season.
“I think you throw the form book away at this stage of the season, I really do, because they’re all cup finals. There’s always shocks that happen in those type of games and I really feel it’s the team that are prepared the best and are able to handle the pressure those games bring.
“I’ve not even looked at how they’ve done recently. The fact that their down at the bottom with us means both teams are not doing as well as they should have done.
“I really think it’s who really holds their nerves. We’ve got players coming back from injuries - I know they have as well - I think it’s set up for a very even game and we have to make sure we’re better than them on the day.”
When asked about his players’ mood at training, Nott replied, “I think the mood in the camp has been helped that we’ve got players returning from injuries and suspensions and we’ve made a couple of new signings as well (before the transfer deadline) so that’s helped.
“Our performance at Leatherhead wasn’t a bad performance. It was nil-nil with fifteen minutes to go. It wasn’t a poor performance but I think we washed the Met Police performance out on Saturday.
“But it’s about results now. To be honest, it could be the most ugliest, boring game in the world tomorrow. If we get three points I will be delighted and I’m sure they will at Chatham.
“We’ve got no problem about the mood. The players’ are positive and we are all looking forward to tomorrow’s game.”
James Peacock and Lloyd Blackman will slot back into the squad, having served their two-match suspensions, but Ashley Ulph (knee ligaments) and Garry Sayer (hamstring) have been ruled out.
“We’ve been able to pick from a full squad, so it’s a nice situation to have,” added Nott, who confirmed that Ulph will miss the rest of the season.
It’s important that the Belmont faithful get behind their side tomorrow, although Nott demands a positive reaction from the players in red and white.
“We owe our supporters one,” said the former Maidstone United boss, who escaped relegation from the Ryman Premier League in the penultimate game of last season.
“It’s a big motivation for us following our last (home) game.
“I think our supporters have been tremendous, both in terms of numbers and that they’ve stuck by us. They had a right to really have a moan-up at the Met Police game, but they didn’t so the important thing is we turn the show on for them.
“I want us to put on a performance tomorrow. The only way they can be happy and the only way that we will be happy is if we deliver three points.”
Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk
Whitstable Town v Chatham Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 9th April 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Belmont, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd