Danny Ward admits new-look Whitstable are experiencing ‘growing pains’ this season but has backed his players to get back on a winning run, built around their home form.

Town have won five of six games at The Belmont, drawing the other, in all competitions this season but just one of 10 games on the road, losing four of their last five, including Saturday’s 2-1 reverse at Three Bridges and the 3-0 defeat at Sittingbourne on Tuesday night.

Ward and brother and joint-boss Jim were previously in charge at Bourne and Ward said: “We were just not good enough. We were missing our two best players, with Ian Pulman away and then losing Scott Heard in the warm-up.

“We told the players they need to look at themselves and decide if they just want to play at home. If you only play at home, you’re only going to end up midway up the table.

“There will be some changes for Saturday.” Heard (ankle) is expected to return while Pulman is back from a sunshine break which Ward insisted would see his star man fined.

Rock-bottom Walton Casuals visit the ninth-placed Oystermen with just five points from 12 games and Ward said: “It is another big game.

“They apparently have a new manager and have brought in six new players, which seems to be standard against us.

“We want to get on a roll again and we have something crazy like six out of our next seven at home now. If we can get on that roll at home, then it can all change quickly.”

Whitstable host Herne Bay in a Robert Dyas League Cup local derby on Tuesday night (7.45pm).