New boss Marcel Nimani has praised Whitstable’s previous management team for the foundations they left behind.

Under Nimani, Whitstable have made the perfect start, beating second-placed Stansfeld 2-0 last weekend and winning 4-0 at K Sports on Monday.

Some players have left following the departure of ex-manager Richard Styles and his coaching staff - defender Freeman Rogers (Lordswood) and striker Matt Gething (Tunbridge Wells) among them - but plenty have stayed put, too.

“It’s been a good start,” the recently-appointed manager said. “I cannot complain.

“I’ve been overwhelmed with the welcome I’ve received. It’s a good group of lads and that’s credit to the previous management team.

“The players they brought in are good players.”

Nimani already thinks he almost has a squad he is comfortable with ahead of their first home match during his reign this Saturday - against Southern Counties East Premier Division frontrunners Erith & Belvedere.

• Whitstable midfielder makes team-of-the-week

He said: “I think we are nearly there. There’s still a couple of positions where we have to recruit.

“You have to have an open mind in non-league football. Recruitment will be an ongoing process but the thing we are looking to sustain is the style of play and a culture.

“That culture will stay but, recruitment, we are open-minded.”

Two-goal Victor Aiyelabola, midfielder Joe Nelder and striker Dean Grant guided Whitstable to their victory at K Sports.

“The experience in this league really showed,” Nimani reflected. “K Sports have a tight pitch and, if you look to play football, it’s very difficult.

“But I was very impressed. Our shape and discipline was really good.”

Another involved at K Sports was Herne Bay midfielder Helge Orome - a player Nimani worked with at Sheppey last season - who has joined on a dual-registration basis.

Nimani, the head of PE at St Simon Stock Catholic School in Maidstone, said: “Helge is obviously a player I have worked with before.

“Each manager has their own approach with other managers and I try to have a respectful approach. I have a lot of respect for Ben Smith, he’s a teacher as well.

“We spoke about Helge and agreed he would come in and help us.”

Aiyelabola and Grant both netted in the win over Stansfeld.

On Aiyelabola, Nimani, who had been working with Glebe for a spell after leaving Sheppey, said: “Victor is a good lad.

“He has been on my shortlist for quite some time while having that two months off. He’s a very brave player, that’s what I liked most about him.”

Nimani, who has seen his new charges shoot up the table to fifth position, is excited to play in front of home support at The Belmont.

“I’m very much looking forward to meeting the extended fans,” he said.

“I met a lot of them on Saturday and Monday, it’s just a shame we have got to play the league leaders!

“But we are here to respect the whole competition and not just the ones that suit us.”

Leaders Erith & Belvedere were previously unbeaten but they were stunned by Tunbridge Wells at the weekend as they lost 5-1. They are nevertheless still some way clear at the summit.

But Nimani warned: “I’m expecting them to be tougher than they were before now! Any team that goes on an 11-game winning streak is a good team.

“They have some good players that I have worked with previously.

“I think they will be even hungrier, it’s certainly going to be a really tough game for us, but we’re looking forward to it.”