CHALVEY Sports manager Steve Quelch believes there are big positives going forward for the Stabmonks this season.

Chalvey have won just once in three matches since former boss Merv Lloyd resigned four weeks ago and Quelch admits confidence is low, but he has the backing of the squad and explained it is a patience game at the moment.

He told the Observer: “The lads have got certain habits that they’re used to and that’s going to take time to change.

“It is not just my ideas that we’re trying to get across but the ideas of the whole coaching team as well, and it’s a patience game.

“You have to be patient, believe and trust in the players, and they do believe in what we’re trying to do, it’s just a case of when that actually kicks in.

“There are a few players coming back that haven’t been playing for a while.

“Paolo Cicero has got credibility all around the local area but it’s going to take time for him to settle in and do what he needs to get on his feet.

“That’s why he was in the team in midweek and why we kept him on for the full 90 minutes, to get him and that little midfield unit working together.”

Chalvey suffered a 4-1 defeat at home to Burnham in the Hellenic League Subsidiary Cup on Tuesday, and Quelch admits the Stabmonks were beaten by the better side.

He said: “Our confidence is a little bit low at the minute with new players coming in, but there are big positives there going forward and looking at what we’re trying to do.

“Burnham were the better side definitely and our biggest problem at the minute is ball retention, being able to recycle it and come out again.

“We didn’t do enough off the ball or with it, so that’s something we need to go and look at and work on.

“If we had kept our width a bit better and not be wasteful with passes and rushing things, it might have been a different story.”

Chalvey return to action in Division One East with a visit to Arbour Park from Woodley United this Saturday (3pm), and Quelch knows it is a game the Stabmonks need to win.

He explained: “It’s a big game and we need the three points, that’s the most important thing. Basically we need to pick the lads up.

“I will not look at where Woodley are in the table because we still need to go out there and do a job. We’ve got to pick a side that’s going to go out there and do that.

“Hopefully we can come away with the three points to climb the table, plus get the confidence back and kick on.”