STANWAY ROVERS manager Karl Duguid says patience will be key during a “massively transitional time” for his club.

Rovers have played six league and cup games since the Colchester United legend replaced former boss Angelo Harrop at Christmas.

They have lost four of them, drawn one and secured one victory, against Brantham Athletic.

It has also been a challenging time off the pitch with several first-team regulars deciding to move on.

And Duguid believes patience will be all-important between now and the end of the season.

“We’ve lost some very important players in Jack Cawley, Jamie Shaw, Pip Boyland and Billy Hunt,” he said.

“They’re first-team regulars and proven at this level.

"Any team would miss them.

“It means we’ve got a young squad now and they’re learning all the time, but I have to give them credit because they’re certainly improving.

“The boys that have come in have done well, got on with things and bought into what we’re trying to do.

“I’m still seeing improvement all the time, other than in the cup game where we had to field a very young, mixed side.”

Duguid started with home defeats against Saffron Walden and Gorleston, in the Thurlow Nunn League, before seeing his young side bow out of the League Challenge Cup at Haverhill Rovers.

Next up came a draw at Thetford Town, before his first victory, against Brantham.

However, Hunt departed for Ryman League neighbours Brightlingsea Regent early last week and Rovers then lost 1-0 at home to Fakenham Town on Saturday.

“Saturday was disappointing,” said Duguid, who takes his side to basement boys Swaffham Town tomorrow.

“It wasn’t a great match, to be honest, and there weren’t many chances for either side.

“We didn’t deserve to lose and overall we’ve done enough to have gained more points.

“I’ve enjoyed it so far but it’s important that people are patient, because this is a massively transitional time for the club.

“We’ll keep going and we’re building all the time.

“As part of that, we want to build a winning mentality with a view to finishing as strongly as we can this season – we can still finish in a very high position - and then be competitive next year.”

Stanway are fifth in the table, a point above Great Yarmouth Town but ten behind fourth-placed Gorleston.

Elsewhere in the premier division tomorrow, WIVENHOE TOWN go to Kirkley and Pakefield while BRANTHAM ATHLETIC visit title-chasing Felixstowe and Waltton United.