Crocked Whichelow wants to get back firing
WEALDSTONE
NEW REGIME: MATT Whichelow has promised to find his scoring boots again for Wealdstone as soon as he returns from injury, writes Jon Batham.
The former Watford winger was getting back into the groove when hitting his fifth of the season in the win over Maidenhead only to be sidelined by a calf injury in last week’s win over East Thurrock.
The 25-year-old, who arrived at Grosvenor Vale in the summer, sat out Saturday’s 2-2 FA Trophy draw with Wingate & Finchley.
However having been egged on by coach Mickey Johnson to have more shots, a philosophy he believes his teammates should emulate, Whichelow is confident he will be back in the goals soon enough.
He said: “I’d been having a few shots the last few games because, speaking to Mickey, he feels I need to be a bit more selfish and believe in myself a bit more.
“I wouldn’t say my self-belief has been in a bit of a dip, it’s more about me being more ruthless in front of goal. That applies to the team as well, when we do get chances we have to take them. We have to make sure every time we go out and play we are testing the goalkeeper, because you never know what going to happen.”
Whichelow, who played 21 games for the Hornets from 2010-13, was lured to north-west London by a combination of new chairman Peter Marsden – who he played under in a brief loan spell at Accrington – and manager Gordon Bartlett.
He admits it has been tough since coming out of full-time football three years ago, but says he is back to playing the game for the love of it.
“It has been up and down since Watford, where I have just been trying to find that bit of consistency in my game and keep some momentum going,” said the winger. is
“I’ve had spells where I’ve been doing well and then had a dip in form where I just haven’t found my feet. It is a tough adjustment from playing full-time, going to training and being done by 12 o’clock, whereas now I have a job and don’t finish until 5:30pm.
“You have to take it in your stride, learn from it and grow. You have to try and get the enjoyment out of it, so it is about trying to play football with a smile on my face.”
Stones were due to replay against Wingate & Finchley last night, with the winners due to travel north to Vanarama National League strugglers Southport on January 14.