Colin Patching wants to bring discipline and mental strength to Whitstable after being appointed as caretaker boss following Ian Cox’s departure.

Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at home to Faversham left Town 16 points from safety and spelt the end for Cox after just three months at the Belmont.

Current under-21 boss and newly-appointed club development manager Patching took charge of first-team affairs this week.

He revealed he and coach Bob Reardon have identified four of their last 10 fixtures in which they hope to secure enough points to give the Oystermen hope of avoiding Ryman League, Division 1 South relegation.

Patching says his coaching CV includes time at Hitchin, Cray Wanderers and in Melbourne, Australia. He played Southern League football for Corinthian and Chatham.

He said: “I’ve been around a bit over the past 17 years or more. Bob and I have been around the block and know what to do and how to manage players.

“We need to implement more of a game-plan and introduce more of a disciplined structure to how we play. If we can do that, then it should pay dividends.”

Town visit Hastings on Saturday (3pm) and Walton Casuals on Wednesday (7.45pm) – the latter being the first of the four games Patching is targeting for points.

He said: “We are looking at certain games we think we can realistically earn some points.

“That’s not to say we won’t be going for it at Hastings but you’d have to say a point there would be a bonus.”