Aslan Odev feels it’s a matter of time before Sittingbourne start climbing the table.

Brickies are third from bottom in Bostik South East after losing 3-1 to Swale rivals Faversham last weekend.

It was their seventh straight defeat in all competitions and while boss Odev is concerned, he’s sure their form will turn.

He said: “You’re worried about it and concerned how things might pan out but I know the vision I’ve got for the club and with what we’re doing behind the scenes and the players we’ve got, it’s a matter of time before we get a win.

“It’s just grinding out that first win and then we can kick on.

“It’s similar to when I first took over. I lost my first five games and was trying to find the right formula.

“All of a sudden it clicked and the players started believing in themselves. It’s just finding a way to get through this run.”

Sittingbourne need to improve on their first-half performance at Faversham, when they went in two down, if they are to get anything against Sevenoaks on Saturday.

It’s the first of two home games in four days, with a rearranged fixture against VCD to follow on Tuesday.

Odev said: “The first half at Faversham was nothing to be proud of.

“It wasn’t the best performance and I wasn’t happy at all.

“Second half, we showed more fight, more desire, we were running more.

“Everything increased by 50% but unfortunately we couldn’t get the goals we needed.

“It’s been the story of the last eight or nine games.

“We’re like two different teams and all it’s taken is a team-talk to get players playing out of their skin.

“We’re a very young side but there needs to be a change in mentality.”

Sittingbourne will be without Izzy Adebayo, who was sent off after shoving Faversham player Ryan Huckle.

Odev felt it was harsh but knows the club’s record of five red cards this season doesn’t make good reading.

He said: “The Faversham player embellished the contact. Izzy’s pushed him on the shoulder and he’s gone down holding his face.

“I honestly don’t think it was a red card but we’ve had far too many this season.

“Our disciplinary record makes us look like thugs but that’s not what we’re about and that’s not what we promote.”

On-loan Gillingham defender Danny Divine is set to make his debut against Sevenoaks after an issue with paperwork prevented him playing in the Swale derby.