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Chatham Town boss expects relegation showdown against Whitstable Town to be test of nerves

08:00, 08 April 2011

Paul Foley
Paul Foley

Chatham Town boss Paul Foley says whichever team holds their nerve best will be the key to the outcome of the Ryman League, Division 1 South showdown against fellow strugglers Whitstable at The Belmont on Saturday.

Ten games without a win and other results going against them have dropped Chats into the bottom two, and Foley (pictured) said: "It is a must-win game for both sides and should be a tense, nervy and interesting encounter.

"Who has the psychological advantage? Well, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain."

He added: "The key to getting out of trouble will be to finish off the sort of chances we created against Horsham YMCA last week and to show plenty of fight and character.

"Nine times out of 10, if you create that many chances in a game, as we did last week, you will end up winning games, so you have to keep believing.

"The situation can also be helped by the return of several key players, with goalkeeper James Tedder, Jason Dolby, Gary Ward and Uche Ibemere all in that category.

"I am hopeful that all four will be available for the game."

A bottom-two finish will leave Chats facing the prospect of having their future decided early next month by the Football Association’s National Leagues Committee.

The club believe that only two of the six 21st placed teams in Step 4 Leagues will be relegated, after several clubs across the country dropped out during the season.

Chatham have the second best record of the six clubs involved but they won’t know their fate until at least the second week in May.

How do you think Chatham will get on against Whitstable? Leave your comments below.

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