BROMLEY manager Mark Goldberg has asked fans to be patient as he looks to mould his squad ahead of the new season.

Goldberg was in good spirits despite seeing his side go down 3-0 to League One Gillingham on Saturday and explained the result was partly his fault.

He admitted: “The fact that it was only 3-0 at the final whistle leaves it quite respectable, especially considering their domination in the first half.

“The only disappointment I have is with the shape of the team in the first half, most notably the back four.

“I tried something new with a player, but it was a little too much, too soon and he wasn't quite ready to play a part in that first half team.

“It shows what a difference playing just one player out of position really makes, especially when you're playing the likes of Gillingham.

“There were a lot of times in the first half where we looked as though we hadn’t played as a team and that’s simply because we hadn’t.

“I made a few changes in the second half and we went on to have a few chances.

“In fact, in the second half we looked the most likely to score so if everybody could bear with us and give us a bit of time to mould together as a complete side, I think we can improve.”

Goldberg feels his squad are strong enough to cope in this season’s Conference South and hinted aside from a few trialists, there are unlikely to be any major changes before the campaign starts at Hayes & Yeading on August 17.

He explained: “From now we’ll just be looking around what we have got, concentrating on getting players fit, playing them in their right positions and generally coming together as a squad and a team.

“We turned things around against Gillingham in the second half and a few of the youngsters who came in looked really well when they got their chance.

“Max Fitzgerald come on at right-back and played well.

“Mitch Hunter and Jordan Clarke also came on and looked really well.

“These three are all trialists, but they’re also players that we have invited in because we know them and what they can do.

“We lacked a bit of pace in the first half, but this is understandable after a couple of months off, and we've learned lots of things from the game.

“I know we didn’t give our fans a lot to shout about in the first half, but I think the second half showed a lot more signs of encouragement.”

Goldberg also added the number one priority in 2013-14 will be to retain Bromley’s Conference South status for another year without the headache of a relegation scrap.

He said: “The main aim for the season ahead is safety.

“If we can finish the season without having to go through another relegation battle I'll be more than happy with how the campaign has turned out.”

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