Lloyd Blackman has learned to take things in his stride during Whitstable’s long break from football.

Certain things are out of your control in football management, as Blackman has come to appreciate during the Covid pandemic.

“Three or four years ago I used to stress and go nuts about things,” said the Town boss, whose side start the Isthmian South East season at home to Sevenoaks on Saturday.

“One thing all this has taught me is you can’t plan for everything. One thing that used to drive me mad was the unknown, the grey areas.

"I always wanted things to be black and white, I’m the same in my coaching.

“But when it’s something you’ve no control over, you slowly learn there’s no point stressing out.

“We’ve prepared as best we can for the season, knowing there’s probably going to be a curveball or two thrown in.

“That’s the way the cards are dealt sometimes.

“Who knows what’s going to happen? Circumstances get in the way and we have to be prepared to deal with that.”

Midfielder Tom Carlton should finally make his Town debut - 10 months after arriving from Herne Bay.

Whitstable have also signed ex-Faversham midfielder Danny Walder.

Blackman said: “We signed TC in November and then didn’t play another game. It must be the longest anyone’s waited to make their debut but he’ll be a good for us.

“It’s great to be back and we’ve been able to keep the squad together.

"Everyone wanted to come back, so we’re on the right path. We’ve introduced Danny Walder to the group as well.

“He’s someone who knows the level and offers that experience and knowhow we’ve lacked at certain times.

“He’s an excellent addition and there could be one or two more before Saturday.

“We’ve got a nice blend of youth and experience and we’ll be going with a larger squad than I have done before, not just because of the volume of games and the injury risk, but also because you never know who might have to isolate.

“It’s not an ideal situation but we’re happy with the squad.

“I said to the players when they came back it would be the toughest pre-season they’d ever ever known.

“Not because of the physical work that needed to be done, more the fact there could be curveballs thrown in with Covid and the emotional and psychological stress that comes with it.

“We put a scheme in place to get them as fit as possible and everyone’s worked hard to achieve that.”

Blackman expects a tough challenge against Sevenoaks this weekend.

He said: "Micky Collins always has a solid side - they will be there or thereabouts this season.

"I've no doubt about the size of the challenge but I'm grateful, and the players are grateful, that we can play competitive football again.

"It should be a great encounter and it's one we're looking forward to in front of our home crowd at the Belmont."

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