New Wisbech boss Whaley knows what's needed to stay up

New Wisbech Town manager Brett Whaley was sensible enough to know a few days in charge would have little impact on his new team – but he also knows how to improve it.

Starting his second spell at the club, the former March Town and Yaxley boss knows his side need more big men and a touch more creativity in midfield.

Speaking after today's 1-0 home defeat to Carlton Town, Whaley said: "We were organised in the first half, we were solid and we made them work for any chances so we were really pleased.

"But going forward with the ball, we didn't look confident and didn't play the football I'd like to play, but it's unrealistic to think you can come in to a side struggling for results and change things straight away.

"We were set up to be defensively solid and maybe not play more expansively with the players at my disposal. But, when the opposition went down to ten men we were relying on defensive midfielders, playing out of position, to be our creative players and open play up.

"We have just not got the numbers here at the moment. We've got a few over the line which has been pleasing but we know the squad is short and people playing out of position highlights that.

"I thought Stacy (defender Cartwright) came in and did well, Beckham (defender, Kennelly) was very good but Josh (Allen, goalkeeper), Khaya (defender Roudette-Gregory) and Nathan (striker Rudman) are all under 18 and it's a learning curve against big, physical guys.

"I cannot criticise anyone - they all did what I asked them to do. We were just lacking a little bit of quality on the ball and we are physically very small which this league is unforgiving with. And we were hooking it on rather than taking a touch and passing it but that comes with confidence and belief and they should get that from today. We conceded six against these a few weeks ago and just one today."

"Bring back Charley Sanders, Sam Spencer and introduce Sam Murphy and we'll improve. They are big lads - markers pick them up but there is always another one. With those lads playing we might not have conceded that goal.

"It was nice to be competitive today but if we are going to get out of this we need to be physically stronger and keep the ball more often.

"The fans were brilliant. We showed the fight they expected but the football wasn't that exciting. They know this is going to be a fight and I hope they know this is building towards next season, whichever league we are in. After that performance, I'm even more confident of staying up than I was before the match.

"We need a couple of weeks to get more people in and work with the squad but then the last 10 games are huge. I feel we will pick up points."

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