Chatham chairman Jeff Talbot has been pleased with Kevin Watson’s start to his managerial career at Maidstone Road but believes the side’s inconsistencies need to be addressed.

After a bright start to the season which saw Chatham win their opening three games in Ryman League Division 1 North, Watson’s side fell away during October and November after suffering six straight defeats.

A brief return to form in December, which included a shock win at title hopefuls Needham Market, threatened to spark Chatham’s season back into life but the inconsistencies that plagued them before Christmas have continued into the new year.

Mr Talbot (pictured) said: "It’s been a bit of a yo-yo season for us so far, but consistency is not something you can really buy.

"We had a great start to the season, then a pretty big dip in form followed by December where we came alive again, but then Christmas probably came at the wrong time for us as we’ve been inconsistent again."

It’s an issue that Mr Talbot has discussed with Watson several times this season and while the club look some way off reaching their pre-season target of "maintaining contact with the play-off places," the chairman is backing his manager.

"He has done reasonably well, and for me as a chairman, it makes it easier if the manager is someone you can relate to – he is certainly a good communicator," said Mr Talbot.

Chatham host Waltham Forest on Saturday.