New boss Harry Wheeler says the Maidstone squad start with a clean slate.

Wheeler has seen three Stones games this season and was in the crowd for last week's home defeat by Sutton.

He starts his reign against unbeaten National League leaders Harrogate at the Gallagher on Saturday and the players will be given every chance to impress.

Wheeler said: "There's work we can do.

"Let's not be naive and go 'it's brilliant, it's great,' because it hasn't been.

"You're always going to get honesty from me and I'll be very straight with you.

"There's work to be done but there's a good group of players, players with a lot of ability and we can install a structure and a style we want.

"As a management team we're very regimented, we'll be well drilled and we'll come out on a Saturday and the first thing we can promise the fans is we'll never be outworked and we'll give everything we've got.

"There's ideas but there's good players here and everyone gets an opportunity.

"This is a blank canvas. Everyone gets their opportunity first and then we go, 'OK, where do we need to strengthen?'"

Wheeler has been promised funds to strengthen and feels he's a man players want to play for.

He won't have former club Billericay's finances at Maidstone but that won't be a problem.

Wheeler said: "There's a lot of players I can attract and it wasn't just last season.

"Other clubs I've been at where the budgets were a lot lower, we had very good players who now earn a lot more at other clubs.

"That's through our style and the way we are and how much players enjoy it and our reputation as a management side, me, Tristan Lewis and Craig Lewis.

"Players come because they want to be in a structure, they want to be in a professional environment.

"We're confident enough that whatever we inherit we'll make that work but at the same it's nice to bring a few others in that you know will complement the group."

Maidstone are third-bottom of the National League after five straight defeats.

They need results quickly but Wheeler says there's no pressure against table-topping Harrogate.

He said: "They're a good team, well organised, with a good shape and they've been full-time for two or three years now.

"All I've said to the lads is as long you work hard, just enjoy it.

"Take the pressure off, go and enjoy it, see what we can do."