Phil Miles believes Faversham are improving every week and remains confident they can still achieve a mid-table finish in Bostik South East.

Former player Miles and Danny Chapman succeeded Ray Turner in mid-November and after just six weeks in the job are already starting to make their mark at Salters Lane.

A switch to twice a week training has improved the squad’s fitness and a return of four points from their last two games means next-bottom Town will go the new year looking up rather than down.

Miles, a lecturer in bricklaying, went away on a pre-arranged charity trip to South Africa straight after he and Chapman’s appointment which meant his first game in charge was a 6-0 defeat at Whyteleafe.

He admits it wasn’t the best of starts for him on his return to Salters Lane, but feels things are definitely moving in the right direction now.

He added: “I think it was no secret that the squad’s fitness levels were low (before he and Chapman took over).

“We watched them three or four times before we took over, and I’m a Faversham lad so I’d also watched them a few times with my dad.

“Last season wasn’t too bad but you could see then signs that they might find it hard.

“I think Ray felt after a few games that he wasn’t getting the best out of the squad but we went to training twice a week straight away and you can see that’s making a difference.

“It’s a lovely set-up, well organised and the chairman (Paul Bennett) is fantastic.

“We’ve spoken about what we want to achieve here, he can see an improvement, the players can see an improvement and there’s been an improvement in our performances.

“We thoroughly deserved to beat Sittingbourne (3-1) and should have beaten Phoenix (drawing 2-2 after leading 2-0).

“The boys are getting a bit more confidence and in this league it only takes three or four wins and you can climb the table.

“I think we’re capable of finishing mid-table and if we could go on a run, maybe the top half.”

Miles says Town remain keen to boost squad numbers but they are more likely to go for younger players with an eye on the future.

He added: “We’ve got what we think are 11 or 12 good players all of whom are committed but we’ve been putting three under-18s on the bench so we could probably do with a little more strength in depth.”

On the plus side Jamie Maxed is back training with the club after leaving due to family and work commitments earlier in the season, while experienced midfielder Dave Cook should make his return from injury in the next couple of weeks.

Renford Tenyue is about to start a new job which may initially affect his availability for training, but Miles says the player, who recently clocked up his 260th appearance for the club, remains very much part of the plans.

Town host play-off hopefuls Ashford United on Boxing Day (3pm) before travelling to Ramsgate on Saturday, December 29.