ALEX Salmon has called on Basildon United fans to be patient after seeing wholesale changes made at the club over the course of the last fortnight.

Changes in the Isthmian North side’s budget resulted in interim player-manager Kris Newby departing by mutual consent and numerous players walking out of the Cousins Car Wash Stadium.

Salmon, who featured for the Bees during his playing career, has taken over and welcomed numerous signings into his new-look squad.

Six members of the starting line-up for Salmon’s first match in charge at Soham Town Rangers were debutants and the former Burnham Ramblers chief concedes it will take time for his players to gel together.

“It will take a couple of games for the players to get used to each other and gel,” said Salmon, whose side suffered a 3-0 defeat to Soham.

“There are a few more players that have signed but were unavailable in midweek, so we have to think about bringing them into the group as well.

“I know it will take a while for the boys to find their feet and for us to find our feet as a team, but the foundations are there.

“We played some really good stuff after a difficult start at Soham.

“Soham capitalised in the opening 25 minutes or so and, by then, we were 2-0 down.

“Everyone just needs to be patient because we have brought in some good players.”

Salmon has welcomed the likes of Khadean Campbell and Ben O’Brien to the Cousins Car Wash Stadium.

And Salmon is pleased to see his squad starting to take shape.

“I’m really pleased with the players we have managed to bring in,” added Salmon.

“Khadean is still not fully fit because he has not been playing football regularly recently, but we know what he is capable of.

“Ben was brilliant in the middle of the park on his debut at Soham, while Joe Staunton is in contention to make his debut this weekend.

“We’re in a good place at the moment.”

The Bees face a daunting task when they head to the Aspen Waite Arena to face Heybridge Swifts tomorrow.

Heybridge reached the Isthmian North summit after sealing a late 1-0 win at Brentwood Town in midweek.

And, while he knows his side will go into the contest as underdogs, Salmon believes Basildon can be encouraged by their performance at Soham.

“It’s another difficult game away from home and they have just jumped into top spot,” admitted Salmon, whose side are third-from-bottom.

“They grind results out and keep the ball really well.

“We will be up against it but we want to get what we can out of it and we played well for large spells of the game at Soham.

“Soham were worthy of their two-goal lead after half an hour but, after that, we grew into the game.

“We created two great chances and hit the post and bar twice.”