Mike Sandmann has given all the credit for his 100 per cent start as Leatherhead boss to the players.

Since taking over from Richard Brady last month, Sandmann has presided over six wins in all competitions.

The five league wins in that time have lifted the Tanners from the brink of a relegation battle to within two wins of the Ryman Premier League play-offs.

Sandmann insisted the side he inherited from Brady was not far off turning their struggling season around, but it did not stop him bringing in a host of new names.

Steve Watt arrived as a central defender cum assistant manager, Alex Brown was taken on loan from Maidstone United to give balance to the midfield and striker Frannie Collin also made the switch from Kent.

And despite the stunning start, Sandmann is keeping his very experienced feet on the ground.

“It has gone really well since we came in, but it is full credit to the players,” the 27-year-old said.

“It was important to bring in the couple of additions that we have, and they have had a good impact on the team, and results have gone our way.

“People are already talking about getting into the play-offs, but we’re not interested in that at the moment, we’re just looking at the next game and to win that.

“We’ve given ourselves a cushion that means some of the teams that were around us in the table are now behind us, and that’s been a positive.”

The arrival of former Ross County and Grimsby Town defender Watt has been key to Tanners’ revival due to his dual role.

Sandmann said: “I needed an assistant and I always wanted to have someone with experience and someone who can have an impact on the pitch as well.

“Having Steve as a player and assistant, you could not ask for a better person.

“He organises on the pitch and is a good person to have around. The lads like him and people want to play with him and play for him.”

Although the Tanners job is Sandmann’s debut as a first team manager, he insists the job holds nothing new as he has spent more than six years in and around the first team at Dover Athletic.

He said: “I have been prepared for this, I knew what to expect and I’ve had good experience behind me.

“It has been a good start, but if you were to talk to me five minutes into the Farnborough game when we were 1-0 down it would have been different.

“We’ve shown we can win ugly, when things have been tough and games have not been going our way.

“Merstham on Boxing Day was tough, but we dug deep to get the points, then at Staines we won playing more attractive football.”

He added: “It’s important to have a level-head, it’s a great start but I am not naïve to think it will last forever.”