Whitstable Town player-manager Jamie Coyle says amount of higher-division quality in squad has helped side find groove in Southern Counties East League Premier Division play-off push

Player-manager Jamie Coyle believes the amount of higher-division quality now within Whitstable’s squad has helped them find their groove in the league.

The play-off chasing Oystermen had endured a mixed Southern Counties East League Premier Division season until recently despite positive runs in the FA Vase and Kent Senior Trophy.

But they have won three straight matches in the league and now sit sixth, with games in hand.

Coyle said: “It’s simply down to personnel, to be honest.

“We knew we weren’t where we wanted to be at the start of the season. Ultimately, to get into the play-offs or win a league, you need players that are better than the level.

“We just didn’t have enough at the start of the season. But now we have got players starting, and on the bench, that are.

“We were always consistent, by the end of the season, we would have a strong squad.

"We were just hoping that we didn’t leave it too late.”

Midfielder Connor Wilkins has arrived from Isthmian South East leaders Ramsgate for Whitstable’s last two matches while defender Finn O’Mara has rejoined the club.

“Connor is one we tried to sign in the summer but he wanted to play at a higher league,” explained Coyle. “He got an unfortunate injury and hasn’t featured that much for Ramsgate.

“He’s a marquee signing with the quality he can bring to the team.

“The referee booked him ridiculously on Tuesday and he put in another tackle shortly after so we had to take him off, which was a shame because we want to give him as many minutes as possible.

“We need that strength-in-depth. With the amount of games in hand we have got, we cannot play players every week, especially people like Fin Cotton.

“It’s his first full season in senior football and he has already played