NEW ROCESTER manager Dave Langston has reassured the club's current crop of players that he will not arrive at Hillsfield "waiving a big stick".

The 42-year-old, who made more than 150 appearances for Rocester between 1996 and 2001 and was an integral part of the Midland Alliance title-winning team of 1999, claims wholesale changes will not be made and players will be given the chance to earn their shirt.

"It's going to be a gentle transition," said the manager.

"Obviously we are third from bottom. But with a couple of wins you can soon move up. What does concern me is our home form."

Rocester have just one Midland Alliance win at Hillsfield to their name this term. That came back in September with a 5-2 victory over Boldmere St Michaels. The Romans' four other wins came on their travels.

"It's the wrong way around," insisted Langston.

"Your fortress at home is were you get your points. If we can change our home form – and we've quite a few home games before the end of the season – then with the support I've already received from the fans and club I think we have a good chance of getting out of it."

Another problem identified by Langston has been Rocester's unsettled side.

The Romans have only fielded the same starting 11 in back-to-back games twice all season – and never three times in succession. The club has also used a mind-boggling 34 different players.

"That's not helpful at all," added the manager. "It's not good really.

"You want to get a team with good balance, who get used to each other and play week in week out. When we won the league over the whole season the team never changed."

Langston, who spent the last five years at Brereton Social as player, coach and manager, also brings another former Rocester player Richard Knight back to the club. Knight, along with former Walsall professional John Edensor joins the coaching set-up at Rocester alongside Richard Owen.

Owen, who took the reigns for Tuesdays League Cup defeat at Coventry Sphinx, will again take charge for tomorrow's trip to Oadby Town.

Langston steps in for next Tuesday's home fixture against Coventry Sphinx. And he is definitely the right man for the job, according to Rocester director Barry Smith.

He said: "There's a difficult job to do at Rocester, but we believe he (Langston) is the right man for the job.

"He knows our situation and is the type of character to see the job through. We're delighted to have him on board."

Meanwhile, Rocester have put on record the club's thanks to former boss Alan Beaman.

A club statement reads: "Alan has put a tremendous amount of time and effort into the club since he returned to manage the first team in October 2008, and we we'd like to thank him for those efforts.

"Alan has enjoyed his return to football despite the difficult circumstances behind the scenes, and he wishes the club, the players and his successor Dave Langston the very best of luck.

"He remains a good friend of the club, and we hope to see him back at Hillsfield in the very near future."