Steve Conroy says it will take time to implement his philosophy at Kings Langley, but has been pleased with the early progress the club has made under him.

Having taken over at the Gaywood Park club in the wake of Paul Hobbs’ departure, Conroy has helped stabilise Kings’ form and they are unbeaten in their last four league games.

He says the players have had a big impact in making adapting to life in the dugout as simple as possible and is now focused on making steady progress.

“It is about taking small steps at a time. My philosophy is a bit different to what the players are used to and it will take time,” Conroy said.

“I want to take them as far as I can and help them improve.

“The lads have responded really well to what we are trying to do and it is a matter of keeping them hungry, helping them learn and progressing as a team.”

That progress continued on Tuesday night as Kings same from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Slough Town thanks to a Matt Ball penalty.

The point came on the back of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat of Stratford Town where Ball was once again on target with a brace.

Kings remain 21st in spite of the four-point haul but they look to be assured of safety as only one team will be relegated this term.

Nonetheless, Conroy is eager to ensure Kings’ ambitions lie further up the table and he wants to guide them out of the lower reaches of the Southern League Premier Division.

“I know only one team goes down this season but I am looking to finish outside the bottom four,” he said.

“I want to start shaping the team for next season and we won’t use one team going down as an excuse to relax.

“We are picking up points now and I want the boys to believe in themselves.”

Competition for places is often a prerequisite for forming a successful team and Conroy is aware of the need to keep his players on their toes.

With this in mind, the Kings boss is looking for players to prove they are worth a place in his starting XI by picking up positive results.

He said: “I am trying to create competition for the shirt and I don’t want to be handing out starting positions for the sake of it.

“Players have to earn the right to wear the shirt and keep playing well.

“If they do the business and pick up points I will continue to pick them. I am quite loyal to my players.”

Conroy has himself had to adapt to the change of going from coach to manager after a career as the former.

It is a chance he is relishing even if he accepts there have been challenging along the way, not least when making team selections.

“As a coach you are not picking the teams so you are always mates with the players, and I have had to step away from them a bit,” he said.

“If you are clear and explain your decisions it makes it easier.

“I have never really managed before and couldn’t turn down the chance when it came up. I wanted to challenge myself and this is the best way of doing that.”

That challenge continues when Kings travel to Dorchester Town tomorrow.

Their hosts occupy 19th spot in the table and victory would be enough to take Kings to within five points of their rivals.