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By Joe Harbert
Whitstable Town manager Lloyd Blackman believes his side have laid all the foundations this summer to show their true potential ahead of the new campaign.
The Isthmian South East team, who were on course for their best finish in the club’s history in 2019-20 before coronavirus curtailed their season, have been one of the division’s quieter sides on and off the field throughout pre-season.
Yet despite Saturday’s disappointing 5-1 FA Cup defeat at higher-ranked Carshalton, Town have emerged victorious in friendlies against the likes of Margate and Cray Wanderers in recent weeks, with the bulk of last term’s squad continuing to ply their trade with the coastal outfit.
Such results have left Blackman feeling even more buoyant about his team’s progression compared to 12 months ago, with the 36-year-old excited to see what his team can show when they begin their league campaign at Sittingbourne this weekend.
The former Ramsgate boss said: “Saturday’s fixture was always a long-shot for us, so we were under no illusion that we were up against a side as good as Carshalton, despite the fact we contained them very well for the first 35 minutes.
“The second goal just before half-time was a bit of a sucker-punch for us, and then after that they showed their quality, but it still shouldn’t hide how well we’ve done during pre-season.
“I know it isn’t always the most accurate way of gauging everything, but if we look at the teams that we played last year and then this year which were the same, then the results certainly speak for themselves in a positive way.
“So I’d like to think we’ve improved a lot, and that’s why we’re looking forward to going back to league proceedings on Saturday.
“We have the benefit of about 80 or 90 per cent of the players staying from last season, so it’s now about building upon an already decent squad that was doing well, so our prospects should be higher than last year.
“Players who we’ve also brought in such as Tom Mills have been first-class, and he’s one of a few great signings for us alongside others like Liam Gillies and Victor Aiyelabola, so I’m pleased with the squad we have.
“They’re a good and honest group of guys who have been joined by some quality, so if we can build upon last season then I certainly feel we’ve got a chance of doing very well.”
In contention for a play-off place for the majority of last term, Blackman’s Oystermen have already made their objectives abundantly clear ahead of May’s domestic climax, as they look to remain in the fight for promotion for all of the season.
“The play-offs are more than realistic,” Blackman added.
“They’re our goal and target and within the four walls of the changing room we have a few of them, and I certainly feel we’re a stronger side than we were last year as I keep saying.
“Nobody knows how everyone has been affected by the current situation though, so in that respect we’re all a little bit in the dark as to how other teams are faring, apart from obviously Guernsey who are now out for the season.
“But of course all we can do is focus on our jobs and see where that takes us - we always try to be optimistic rather than pessimistic and we’re up for the challenge.”
He continued: “The first seven or eight games are the ones you’re setting small targets for the players, and that start is something we are placing even more emphasis upon given they haven’t had a competitive environment for the last six months.
“So it’s immensely important for us to get off to a good start regardless of whether the league table doesn’t take shape until slightly after that, because it helps confidence grow even more.
“Darren Blackburn on Saturday is also going to be wanting a reaction from his (Sittingbourne) players as results didn’t go for either of us at the weekend, so add that on top of the fact it’s a fairly local derby, then it’s another challenge we’re looking forward to.”
First four league games: Sat Sep 19: Sittingbourne (a), Sat Sep 26: VCD (h), Sat Oct 3: Haywards Heath (h), Tue Oct 6: Three Bridges (a).
