Hampton & Richmond Borough boss Alan Dowson is certain his side will not be relegated come the end of the National League South season.
Hampton beat Aldershot Town 3-0 at home on Saturday - through two Tom Jelley penalties and a Nicke Kabamba effort, before being held 1-1 at Met Police, where former Beaver Tom Hockey netted a second half equaliser.
Dowson was bold with his predictions last term when he insisted he would quit his post if Hampton - who open their season at Bishop's Stortford on August 6 - failed to secure a top five finish.
Eyecatching start: Christian Jolley, centre, has already made a big impression on Beavers' boss Alan Dowson
They went on to lift the Ryman Premier Division title in his first full season at the helm, having saved the club from relegation 12 months earlier.
"I'll tell you now, we'll not get relegated. I'll sack myself if we do," said Dowson.
"We want to do well and I think we have to squad to. I'm nto saying we'll finish in the top 10, but we'll be there or thereabouts.
Double time: Tom Jelley, left, scored twice from the spot against Aldershot Town on Saturday
"We'll certainly not challenge for the top five."
Tuesday's second half display left Dowson fuming after his men delivered a near faultless display against the Shots at the weekend.
And he demanded a response for Saturday's trip to Salford City insisting there remained places in his squad still up for grabs.
"People need to realise there and no names on the back of shirts yet – a few players when given the chance to get themselves on the team-sheet went missing," he added.
“Another performance like that and we may see changes to the line-up. You’ve got to train how you play and play how you train.
Captain fantastic: Hampton skipper Kieran Murphy will need to lead by example on the pitch and on the training ground this season
“After the game on Saturday perhaps some people were under the impression things are hunky, dory but that’s not the case – we’re nowhere near the finished article.
“We’re still looking at a couple of trialists so we’ll see where we are. Hopefully things will be back on track against Salford on Saturday.”
Hampton return to the second tier of non-League football and face a fixture list packed with intriguing match ups - including some clashes with old friends and adversaries.
"The two games against Maidenhead are the obvious ones I'm looking forward to with Alan Devonshire facing his old club where he enjoyed so much success," added Dowson.
"And the matches with Hemel Hempstead Town over the Christmas and new year period will be good because we have signed a few players from them."
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