FC CLACTON stalwart Kyelan Marvell believes his club should still set their sights on a top-eight finish this season.

The Seasiders are 15th in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division following their 4-2 defeat at Brantham Athletic on Boxing Day.

Nevertheless, Marvell believes he has seen enough to suggest his team can climb the table and finish in a high and very respectable position.

“For me, the realistic target is still as it was in the summer – to be in and around the top eight,” he told the Gazette.

“We’re more than capable of going on a run of six or seven games without losing.

“We’ve done it already and if we can start turning some of our draws into wins, we’ve got a realistic chance of being up near the top.

“We’ve just got to take it one game at a time and not get too carried away with what’s going on around us.

“We’ve got to keep putting the performances in and keep our standards high.

“Lots of teams have told us we’re one of the best sides they’ve played.

“It’s a compliment that other teams see us as a good footballing outfit and been impressed with us.

“It happens all the time and gives us a lot of confidence, because it shows we’re doing the right things.”

Marvell, good friends with manager Tom Austin, says he is thoroughly enjoying his latest spell with the Seasiders.

Having started his career as a youngster at Colchester United, he has made nearly 300 appearances for the Seasiders.

Yesterday’s match at Brantham went ahead after the Gazette had gone to press but, regardless of the result, Clacton will be hoping for more points when they welcome Wroxham to the Rush Green Bowl on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

“It’s been very enjoyable so far this season,” added Marvell, who has also played for Stanway Rovers and Foxash Social.

“Everyone gets on well and it’s good fun, which is what we do it for.

“Now we need to start seeing more games out, having dropped points from winning positions.

“That has to be the aim in the second half of the season.

“It’s all about developing good habits and then taking them into the matches.

“It’s so tight in the league and we don’t want to be looking over our shoulder.

“We know two or three wins would make a big difference.

“It’s a very competitive league this year and no-one’s running away with it, apart from Histon.

“Last year there were two or three sides right up there.

“But we feel we can match anyone on our day and I fancy us to go from strength to strength in 2019.”