Baptism of fire for new Matlock boss

The Gladiators made it six league defeats on the spin against Stalybridge on Saturday, going down 3-1 at Bower Fold.

Frecklington said: "It's more the mentality of taking over a club that's in transition with a lot of change needed because of the losing run it's on.

"It's not a case of having to just lift the spirit in the team but of the whole club. Players are unhappy about not playing whether it be through the horrendous injury list we have or for other reasons and players haven't been performing despite getting well looked after at the club. So our job is to change the mentality, to lift the doom and gloom and inject some positivity throughout the club."

Frecklington has been busy in the transfer market, adding three players - Jordan Lemon (Spalding United), Nathan Whitehead (Lincoln United) and Brad Beatson (Stocksbridge Park Steels) - and releasing two more - Jan Yeomans (AFC Mansfield) and Kieren Watson (Hallam).

There could be more new faces ahead of Saturday’s trip to Farsley Celtic, while Shaun Harrad and Jordan Chapell could return from injury and Dwayne Wiley is available again after suspension.

Frecklington added: "The signings we've made so far are lads I've worked with before who understand the way we work and what we're looking for.

“We inherited thirty players when we arrived and that's far too many as you can't establish the togetherness we're looking for in the squad with lads sat in the stand plus we have a lot of contracted players. I can only pick sixteen so we're looking at a squad of around eighteen meaning there'll be more movement in the next week or so."