ROSS Thorpe says he will remain patient with his Tividale players.

Tivi are sitting bottom of the Northern Premier League Division One South after last Wednesday’s 4-0 defeat at Kidsgrove and then crashed out of the FA Trophy with a 3-1 loss at Stafford Rangers last Saturday.

However, Thorpe has reiterated his determination to give his players all the time they need to progress.

The club’s management duo of Thorpe and Phil Male brought in a whole new squad over the summer after the majority of last season’s side followed former boss Ian Long to Alvechurch.

The Beeches outfit were rocked further last week after captain Craig Milligan decided to leave the club.

Thorpe said: “We knew we were in for two tough games in Kidsgrove and Stafford and that proved to be the case.

“The important thing was that our performances were very good in defeat. The performances are getting consistently better.

“We never put a time limit on how long it would take to get it right. All we will do is keep persevering and keep working with the players.”

Tividale are set to face West Bromwich Albion in the Birmingham Senior Cup tonight before turning their attention to the visit of Goole this Saturday. That game will be followed by another home fixture when Basford arrive at the Beeches next Tuesday.

“Our focus is on those next two home games,” add Thorpe. “It gives us a chance to pick up more points. Eventually, given time, this team will click.”

Jason Chilton was handed the armband following Milligan’s departure but Thorpe said he has yet to decide who will take it on a more permanent basis due to work and family commitments.

The midfielder wants to remain playing locally but found the travelling tough during his time at Tivi.

“It doesn’t matter who gets the armband, I want more than just one leader on the pitch,” he added. “Milligan’s departure will give others a chance.”

Thorpe confirmed he is now looking to bolster to his squad with new additions.