Maggs: Three players from strong unit

The U’s lie third in Ryman Football League Division One South after picking up four points in three days against what was the division’s top two this time last week.

United manager Maggs said: “I’ve already pointed out I’m happy with the remaining squad. It doesn’t need a massive change at the club to be in contention. I think if I add three players to the squad it would make us a really strong unit.

“It’s really difficult out there. I’m still on the case you can be assured of that. There are one or two who are with clubs and it needs extra work to talk with those clubs, and try to get them to move on.

“I’m sure it will happen and I would appeal to people just to be a little bit patient; as time goes on you will see the changes.”

One change which has happened off the field over the past week is the addition of Cliff Cant to Maggs’s backroom staff. Cant, who spent time at Arsenal and Fulham during his playing days, had been part of Rye United’s managerial set-up since the spring.

“He played for me at Crawley, and coached for me at Crawley and Horsham,” continued Maggs, who asked Mark Stapley to leave last Thursday. “We go back a really long way and I know exactly what I’m bringing on board. I think the management team is very, very strong at this club.

“We will turn the training methods around completely. I know that’s going to improve individuals in the side and in turn will improve the team.

“There were things that I needed to put right. I’m not the guy that’s come in with the big sledgehammer ‘you’re going to do it this way or that way’, but if I see some weaknesses in our preparation, I’ve got to act on it - the same as any manager. It’s not all about me; it’s about working with players and trying to get the best out of them.”