Spalding United host Bishop’s Stortford in the Southern League Premier Division Central

Manager Jimmy Dean wants his Spalding United side to start getting more positivity in the wins column as a busy recruitment campaign starts to bear fruit for the Tulips.

The former Scunthorpe United boss has revamped the playing roster following his appointment at the helm of the Southern League Premier Division Central club.

He took over from Elliot Sandy at the end of August and has steered Spalding out of the relegation zone with a record of seven wins, three draws and seven losses to start his tenure.

Dean said: "It's been a bit of a 50/50 season so far in terms of results since I came in and I want to get more positivity in the wins column.

"We've got players now who know what I want and who can drive my standards, shapes and ethics.

"I've got the tools to do a better job but we won't be getting carried away by any means because there's been a lot of hard work to get us to this point.

"We're still only a couple of points outside the relegation zone so, if we want to start climbing the league, then we have to remember all the hard work that has got us there, all the things that we've done wrong and the turmoil that we came into.

"We need to use that to move forward. We're better set now and, after the performance on Saturday, it reinforces where I was at with a lot of the recruitment. Hopefully we can kick on."

Four new additions have arrived in the past fortnight following the acquisitions of Liam Moore, Nathan Fox, Dion Sembie-Ferris and Dan Lawlor.

Former Leicester City and Reading defender Liam Moore made his Spalding debut last weekend in the 1-0 away win at play-off chasing Stratford Town.

It was his first competitive outing since leaving League One side Northampton Town at the end of last season after a lengthy career in the professional game.

Dean added: "We needed someone who was going to make a difference to us and Liam is a leader.

"He'll be the first one to say that he still needs to get up to speed fitness-wise but you can see his class and quality.

"After meeting Liam and being around him, he really has been top drawer. He's been a humble guy considering the levels that he has played at.

"He's been great to work with and you can see that he's got such high standards as well but in a good and positive way.

"We're lucky to have him and it's fortunate circumstances as much as anything else. He's been a pleasure to work with so far.

"There will be a big improvement in him over the next six weeks but he also made a great start on Saturday.

"He produced an absolutely amazing block late in the game to deny them a certain goal. It was just instinct and showed the winner in him. He was determined to help get the clean sheet and the three points.

"Collectively, it was a good solid defensive performance and it was a well-earned clean sheet."

Just three players - goalkeeper Tony Breeden, defender Glenn Walker and midfielder Lewis Hilliard - from last season's title-winning squad started Saturday's super away success at Stratford Town.

Striker Bart Cybulski, defender Connor Brown, midfielders Lamine Sherif and Khanya Leshabela, attackers Maniche Sani, Connor Tomlinson and Jordan Nicholson as well as the utility ability of Kieron Freeman had earlier been recruited by the Tulips.

Dean is now looking to keep the nucleus of the current squad together for the remainder of the campaign.

He commented: "I want to get training, players and the team consistent to a point where the environment is set.

"In the main, I want to keep a lot of these players here for the season now. I want to settle it down and I've always built sides on that motto.

"We only signed a couple every summer when I was at Peterborough Sports because I like to settle a squad down and work with them once I'm happy with it and hopefully that's what we will be able to do now."

"We're still not out of the woods yet and there's a lot of results to get. We need to start backing it up with a few wins now because, if we lose on Saturday, then we're right back in it."

Spalding are currently in 16th spot after being leapfrogged by Saturday's visitors, Bishop's Stortford, following their midweek win at Harborough Town.

Midfielders Lamine Sherif and Kyle Barker will both be available for selection again at the weekend after completing their respective suspensions.