Sheppey United joint-manager Ian Batten predicts breakthrough campaign for in-form wideman D’Jean Spencer

Sheppey United joint-manager Ian Batten is predicting a breakthrough season for D’Jean Spencer after a flying start to the campaign.

Spencer took his tally to six goals in five games with a double in the Ites’ 3-0 FA Cup preliminary round win at Rusthall last weekend.

He’s been at Step 4 with the Ites previously, as part of Ernie Batten’s squad that reached the FA Cup first round three years ago.

And after a spell with Sheppey Sports at Step 6, he’s seizing his latest opportunity to perform at the higher level.

“He’s asking for a goal bonus now!” said Ian Batten.

“He’s been brilliant. He was out of the game for a little bit, then we got him in with us at Sheppey Sports because we knew him from his time with my dad, and he was obviously good at Step 6.

“We knew the sort of threat he would have because he’s so quick.

“Once he pushes that ball in front of him, you aren’t catching him, so I think we’ve shown confidence in him in terms of bringing him over and giving him another chance at Step 4, and he’s grabbing it with both hands.

“I think he appreciates it. He trusts us and we trust him.

“This season will be his proper breakthrough season in terms of consistency if he stays fit.

“You can see he’s enjoying his football. We’ve got our trust in him and he’s repaying it.”

Spencer follows the modern-day trend for inverted wingers as a right-footed player cutting inside from the left.

It’s a role that suits him well and one he’s unlikely to move from.

“We’re predominantly 4-3-3 and he plays on the left-hand side of the front three,” said Batten. “When I said to him about playing on the right, he was offended by it! He prefers to play on the left.

“In the old-school 4-4-2 you had a right-footer on the right and a left-footer on