By Alex Hoad

Justin Luchford says Whitstable’s next five games in Ryman League Division 1 South are ‘potentially season-defining.’

The Town boss is frustrated that his side have slipped to 17th in the table after the first 11 games of the season which he believes should see his side in the upper echelons of the standings.

Luchford (pictured) said: "I just don’t know what’s going on. It’s ridiculous. Every game we’ve lost this year has been by a single goal and we’ve been in so many commanding positions.

"Nobody has really outplayed us this season – Sittingbourne and Maidstone are probably the only two games we haven’t deserved to win.

"We are creating chances and not taking them and then getting punished for every mistake at the other end. I’ve never known anything like it. It can’t go on like this forever."

Town visit rampant Hythe Town on Saturday before the visit of Burgess Hill to the Belmont on Tuesday, with Three Bridges, Chipstead and Tooting to follow in November.

Luchford said: "The next five games could well be season-defining, we could end up a mid-table team or back in the pack.

"I know where we are in the table but the fact that we have a positive goal difference should tell you something about us."

Defender Sam Groombridge is expected to sign for Hythe this week but won't be able to play against the Oystermen on Saturday.