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Sittingbourne manager Aslan Odev hopeful of keeping star players

07:27, 02 May 2018

Aslan Odev is hopeful of keeping Sittingbourne’s main men this summer.

Winger Sefyettin Akdeniz and Fabrice Blewordah have impressed in a strong finish to the Bostik South season.

Manager Odev would love them to stay and has put the feelers out.

Sittingbourne manager Aslan Odev Picture: John Westhrop
Sittingbourne manager Aslan Odev Picture: John Westhrop

He said: “They’ve both got agents who love what we’re doing, they really like how we’re running Sittingbourne and what we’re doing with the players.

“I’m hopeful, I’m optimistic but pre-season’s a long way off and I’m sure people will be interested.

“I’ve spoken to Fabrice and he loves it, he’s enjoying his time here thoroughly, which means the battle’s half-won but clubs will be sniffing.”

Kane Rowland is the other star player who’s bound to attract interest after scoring 22 goals.

Odev has a good relationship with the striker and that may be enough to clinch a deal.

He said: “I get on really well with Kane. We’ve got a good rapport so I’m hoping we can keep him.

“He’s a really good player who’s important to our style of play and I like his personality in the dressing room as well.

“I’ve been chatting to all the players individually and at the moment it looks good.

Sittingbourne would love to keep Sefyettin Akdeniz Picture: Ken Medwyn
Sittingbourne would love to keep Sefyettin Akdeniz Picture: Ken Medwyn

“I think we will be able to keep the majority of them.

“We don’t want to change too much if we don’t have to but we’ll also be looking to add quality and evolve as a squad.”

Odev has won over any sceptics who questioned Sittingbourne’s decision to give him a chance after Nick Davis resigned.

The 26-year-old has seized his first chance in management, finishing the season with six wins and two draws from their final 10 games.

He said: “As a new manager who hasn’t been tested at Bostik South level or anything like that, maybe there were question marks.

“But I always backed myself, I always thought what I was doing was the right way and with the addition of Ian Varley and the staff we already had, it was always going to work out as long as we worked hard and made sure we had our standards.

“It’s very humbling to hear the fans singing about the team you’ve put out or even going as far as singing your name.

“The fans are the best in the league. I know all managers say that but I truly feel they are.

“They deserve all the success Sittingbourne may get.”

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