LINGFIELD have gone back to basics under new manager Mick Buckingham who will take control of his first game on Saturday.

And the new boss is keen to stress that local is better, both when it comes to management and players.

"I'm a local fella, and so is my assistant manager, Andy Stonley," said Buckingham .

Having previously been assistant manager at East Grinstead Town, Crawley Down and Three Bridges, Buckingham admits he needs time before changing the team.

"Right at this moment in time we don't want to change the team around," he said.

"We've seen a couple of training sessions, but no matches, and so I think we will just see how thing turn out and where we need people.

"When new managers come in sometimes there are players who just pack their bags, so I'm just going to assess what I've got.

"Having competition for places is obviously very important though."

Buckingham is optimistic of the squad's commitment and admits he is delighted to take over a team who are not propping up the league.

"Andy and I were quite pleased and surprised when in our first training session we had 90 per cent of the first team turn out and about 80 per cent of the reserves," he said.

"When you take over at a football club normally they are right at the bottom of the table and struggling, so it's nice to take over a stable team from Steve Perkins.

"We are 14th and have some games in hand, so we are looking OK. If we do OK I don't see any reason why we can't finish in the top six or seven."

Seventh-placed Eastbourne are next, but Buckingham believes they could present a tough game for his side.