Midfielder Barry Stevens reckons new boss Francis Vines is the perfect man to take Carshalton Athletic forward and has pleaded with the Robins faithful to give him time.

Vines made it three defeats from three games as Carshalton manager as Athletic slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Boreham Wood on Tuesday night, a game which also saw defender Liam Harwood sent off.

But Stevens insists the former Robins player needs to be allowed to put his own stamp on things.

He said: “I think it was very important that the club got the right man in quickly and I think Francis is the right man.

“He has a lot of experience and he has done it all before at this level.

“Not only that but he has played for this club and he knows what it is all about.

“He needs to be given the chance to bring his own players in and get things going his way, and when he does that I am sure we will be fine.”

The Boreham Wood reverse, which saw former Coventry and Wrexham striker Craig Falconbridge grab a debut goal, came on the back of a chastening 4-0 home defeat to Dartford on Saturday.

But despite that, Stevens feels progress is being made.

He added: “I think we were unlucky on Tuesday.

“The boss brought in a few new faces (including loanees Justyn Roberts and Kenny Beaney from Sutton) and of course it will take time to gel.

“But we do not have a game this weekend and that will give everyone time to settle in.

“I see no reason why our aims for this season should change.

“Dartford apart the league seems very tight, and once we get everything firing again there is no doubt in my mind that we are still capable of making the play-offs.”

Carshalton Athletic’s next three matches: Oct 3 AFC Hornchurch (h), 10 Tonbridge Angels (a), 13 Waltham Abbey (h)