Manager Marcel Nimani has been delighted with Whitstable’s recent upturn in form.

The Oystermen, 2-0 winners last weekend against Tunbridge Wells, are on a five-game Southern Counties East Premier Division unbeaten run.

Nimani endured a mixed start after his November appointment but Whitstable are now up to fourth.

Leaders Erith & Belvedere are well clear, although there’s not a lot separating the sides below them.

“It’s a complete turnaround from the spell we had towards the earlier part of our reign where the changing room and the performances were unstable,” said Nimani.

“The hardest part as a manager is to find positivity in defeats and I recall having to rely on my experience to find positives during those tough times - and those positive outlooks are mostly needed when the chips are down.

“Positivity brings energy and we’ve slowly turned things around and, now, we have a vibrant changing room.”

An own goal put the hosts ahead in the 49th minute at The Belmont against Tunbridge Wells before striker Dean Grant added a late second.

Nimani said: “We are in a good place at the moment, both in terms of changing room culture, where the players are in good spirits and the changing room is healthy.

“Players want to be around one another.

"But also in terms of results - that’s us unbeaten in five league games, with three wins and two draws.”

Nimani was thrilled to see experienced frontman Grant get on the scoresheet to round off the triumph.

“Having Dean Grant in the squad is very crucial,” he said.

“Dean’s personality and experience is key for the changing room.

“He’s very respected amongst his peers. He’s almost like a manager in the changing room.”

There was also praise for midfielder Jordan Wells who was named player-of-the-match against his former club having had to wait for his chance.

“I’m very pleased for Jordan,” Nimani said.

“I said to the boys after what an example Jordan is.”

There’s plenty of competition for places at the moment - but that’s exactly how Nimani and the rest of his management team like it.

Nimani said: “If there’s one thing that we have always brought, it’s the recruitment.

“We have always felt the recruitment with my management team helps create competition for places.

"We believe in having big squads. It keeps consistency in performance.

"We’re fine squad-wise.”

Whitstable are at Kennington this Saturday, looking to avenge October’s 1-0 loss at The Belmont.

Nimani said: “Kennington is a club known for hard work, discipline and cohesiveness. The management team does a really good job of finding gems in non-league football in Kent.

“Before my time, Kennington were successful against Whitstable.

"We will do our best to avenge the defeat.”