BERNIE Cope has called on Bedworth United fans to back him and the team as he seeks to find his first win as Greenbacks manager against high-flying Slough Town tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.
Slough are currently second in the Zamaretto League Midlands Division, and have lost just one of their last seven games.
That makes them a tough prospect for Cope's third game in charge of United, and after his first two ended in defeat, he admitted it had not been a great start to his tenure.
He said: “The first week has been difficult as I have not come into the club at the best time.
“We have got games coming thick and fast, and then it is Christmas.
“I hope we turn the results around, hopefully starting on Saturday.
“We need to get the fans behind us, rather than against us, which is difficult because they don’t like change.
“If we can get them rooting for us that will be a big help.”
There were encouraging signs in his first game, a 1-0 defeat to Biggleswade Town, and they did well in the second half against Beaconsfield SYCOB despite eventually losing 4-0, one of which was the performance of new boy Ryan Millerchip.
The defender was brought in from neighbours Stockingford AA, and Cope is hopeful of making the move more permanent.
He said: “Ryan Millerchip came on for his debut and did well.
“Ryan plays at Stockingford and I’ve managed him before, he is a good centre-back and we were short there.
“I will speak to him and see what his plans are, but he is good enough to play at this level.
“There’s two or three new lads coming on Thursday, and we are looking at players every day, seeing who we want to put seven days notice of approach in for.
“I want to get a bit more talent in as well as bringing more local lads in, then the team will be mine.”
Sam Shilton, who had a niggle on Tuesday night and had to be taken off, is a doubt for Saturday, while Gilbert Cummins (knee) faces a late fitness check and Rory Squire is on holiday.

BEDWORTH FROM: Farmer, Moran, Shilton, Allen, Simpson, Connolly, Cummins, Kabango, Robinson, Linton, Murdock, Koriya, Lee, Martin, Hill, Millerchip.