SINCE Craig Adams took over at Swanage Town and Herston FC in September, the Swans have gone unbeaten.
With a thrilling comeback 4-3 victory over Hamworthy United Reserves on Tuesday night, the Swans’ run has stretched to 10 games without defeat.
He told the Daily Echo that on arrival he sought to change the mindset of the club and the players, instilling some more professionalism in everything they do.
Since, he has strengthened the squad with new additions in the core of the side and hopes to add another centre back to bolster the spine of the side.
“I think that was the remit, come in, just tidy it up,” Adams explained.
“I'm working closely with Manu [Laurijssen] who was the assistant manager last year and he took over temporary as the first team manager through the summer and took the first seven games.
“But to be fair to Manu, for me he's a really good right hand man because he knows Swanage, he knows the club and for me at the moment and moving forward, he's a good fit.”
Adams remembers coming on holiday to Swanage as a teenager from the midlands and recalls that the side was always in and around the Wessex League.
“It's a Wessex League club in terms of stature, in terms of facilities,” he said.
“It's got all that, but it's not there, it's in the Dorset Prem and it's in the Dorset Prem for a reason.
“We've got to just chip away at it and try and claw our way, perhaps back up a league if we can.”
The boss praised the club’s fanbase and weekly attendances, as well as the ‘brilliant’ people behind the scenes at the club, saying he hopes to do the club justice on the pitch.
So far this season under Adams, they have been beginning to do just that.
He said the side has been showing a fighting spirit that he has hoped to instil in his side, coming from behind against the likes of Hamworthy Utd Reserves, Bournemouth Sports and Bridport.
“I think that fighting spirit I based myself on when I was a player, I played as a central defender where, you have to put your body on the line, you have to go and sometimes take one for the team,” Adams said.
“I think that is, I hope, is rubbing off. So some of that, definitely, because let's face it, you have to battle, you know, you have to fight and scrap for every second ball, for every first ball, for anything on the pitch.
“If you're not running and fighting hard, you won't achieve anything, and I think the squad has come together, definitely.”
Adams is confident the side will continue to improve throughout the season, as he sets his sights on a top five finish.
But he is acutely aware of the challenge he faces in the league, saying any team can beat anyone on their day.
“Short term it’s just to keep doing what we're doing, try and keep the run going for as long as possible.” Adams said.
But remembering that it's one game at a time, I know it's an old cliche, but we can't plan too far ahead.”
Adams plans in three game cycles but reaffirms that the top five is his minimum target come the end of the season, as Swanage currently sit eighth – five points off Hamworthy Recreation Reserves in fifth.
“We've got to remember the journey we've been on in the 10 games so far, that we’ve come a long way already,” Adams said. “So if we can get another 5 per cent out of everyone by the end of the season, you know, who knows what we could do.”
He added: “We've got ambition, we've got to have that drive, we've got to have that belief but also respect everyone as well, and remember who we are.”
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