IAN Crane warned AFC Hayes fans not to expect instant success despite a promising start to his tenure.
Crane took the Farm Park hotseat in the summer after moving from Spartan South Midlands outfit Harefield United.
Since then he has built a new-look Brook side who have already produced some decent results.
But Crane is keeping his feet on the ground and pointed to the four years it took Manchester City to construct a team capable of domestic domination.
“For us, it is a case of bedding things in and getting people more familiar with each other,” he said.
“It’s a completely new team we have put together here.
“Manchester City have proven that you can’t just throw a team together and get instant results, but they will come with a little bit of time. It’s not just about ability, it’s about bedding in.
“I think we’re a bit ahead [in terms of where he hoped to be by now]. The players seem to have listened to what we have been telling them which is good.”
Hayes’ surprising progression has led Crane to believe that while consolidation is a more realistic aim, promotion is not beyond his new squad’s capabilities.
“I haven’t seen anything in this league which scares me yet,” he added.
“We’ve played Guildford [4-3 defeat] and they were fortunate. We should’ve finished them off.
“There are no major concerns for us. I have been and watched Uxbridge a few times who are supposed to be one of the favourites, and Slough, but they’re not firing on all cylinders yet.
“If we can sort our home record out then we will be there or thereabouts at the top of the table. I was thinking that this year would just be bedding people in but the way things are going we might be able to push as well.
“I’m happy with the squad at the moment.”
