Manager Keith McMahon wants Whitstable to focus on themselves ahead of their trip to Hythe this Saturday.

The Oystermen’s opponents are going through challenging times on and off the field, with boss Steve Watt having stepped down this week.

Assistant manager Nathan Elder and player-coach Frannie Collin have taken the reins but it’s unclear how long they will remain in charge for.

McMahon, whose side were beaten 1-0 by Burgess Hill at the Belmont on Saturday, said: “I know Watty well.

"He is a lovely fella and I feel for him firstly - I think that’s the most important thing. I wish him all the best.

“The club is having a few problems. It will be interesting what happens now but I think we have got to concentrate on ourselves.

"Hythe won’t have a bad side - whatever happens. They might bring a few in or a new manager in, you just don’t know.

"We have to concentrate on performing, do what I want and then I’m sure we can pick some points up.”

A first-half Lewis Taylor penalty earned Burgess Hill the win against second-bottom Whitstable, who have still only registered one league win this season.

McMahon, who ended up playing defender Ollie Gray up front with striker Harry Goodger unavailable, felt the Oystermen deserved something out of the game.

Whitstable won back-to-back matches when McMahon first took charge last month but they have struggled since.

He said: “I knew it was going to be tough. I didn’t think, because we won our first couple of games, that things would be all rosy.

"You could see what was going on and I knew it was going to take time.

“We have been there six weeks. We have had injuries and the team, at times, have not performed as a whole. But the team know what we are looking for.

“I think people that see us now can sort of see a difference in the way we play to what we did when I first came in.

“We have added some pace to the side, and a bit of youth, and it’s building slowly.

“A win is only around the corner.

"I can see it in the team and hopefully, once we get that next win, we can push on.”

Whitstable lost Montrell Deslandes (ankle) in the warm-up last weekend and Jack Miles to a recurrence of his hamstring injury, but winger Alex Gaggin (groin) made his first appearance for the side off the bench, making an instant impact, while two more attacking players are set to join ahead of the Hythe game.

McMahon explained: “I have bought two in for the weekend and Alex Gaggin will start, so there’s three straight away.

"They are all in the forward line so it will give us a little bit more going forward.

“I do think I maybe need to bring in another central midfielder and another defender but then we will be fine.”

Goodger is available while Victor Aiyelabola has also rejoined the club, starting against Burgess Hill.

Whitstable visit Dartford this Wednesday in the Kent Senior Cup final, held over from the 2019/20 season.

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