Scott Porter says Whitstable’s players owe their fans a big performance when they host Ramsgate on Boxing Day.

Town’s last game at The Belmont was the 4-0 derby defeat to Herne Bay two weeks ago and boss Porter says the players need to put that match firmly behind them.

He explained: “The Herne Bay game was a big disappointment but we stopped the rot at Guernsey (where a depleted squad drew 1-1).

“We now need to build on that and the fans deserve to see a good performance.

“We let them down in the Herne Bay game, but this is an opportunity to put things right. It should be a good game.

“They’ve just had a new manager go in (Nick Davis) who will want to get them playing his way, but if we can get wins from the next couple of games it will put us back right up there.”

Porter says his long-term aim remains a top-six finish in Bostik South East and he still thinks the Reds can achieve it – even though their recent poor run has seen them slip to 14th

He added: “Where we are now is about right but the table is so tight a few results can make a lot of difference. I’m still looking at finishing in the top six, you’ve got to have something to aim for.

“We had an 11-game unbeaten run earlier in the season, which was a great achievement, but then we had three defeats before the Guernsey game.

“To go there with a bare squad of 12 and get a point was a fantastic effort. It showed the character of the boys.

“They showed great commitment to go there in the wind and rain after three defeats and to play the way they did showed a lot of desire.”

Porter expects to go from having just the bare bones against Guersney to having 18 for the Ramsgate game and he admits he’s got some tough decisions to make.

He said: “The lads who played at Guernsey have given the others something to think about because of the commitment they showed. Part of the trouble this season has been not having that consistency of selection.”

Harry Brown is out after his red card against Bay while John Walker and Charlie Smith will have fitness tests.