Harry Wheeler says he inherited a mess when he took over as Maidstone manager.

Wheeler has made wholesale changes since succeeding Jay Saunders in September but results have got worse.

After winning two of his first three games, one win in the next 10 has left United four points from safety in the National League.

They’re second-bottom after losing at Barrow last weekend, a match which saw three more players make their debuts.

Fans are already divided on Wheeler, just three months into his reign, but the former Billericay manager says he knew what he was walking into.

Asked if he was finding the job harder than expected, Wheeler said: “No, because I looked at it and I knew what a mess it was in.

“I think you see probably by the amount of players that went out to teams in the league below and they’re now not playing. I think that gives you an idea.

“The majority that went out are now not playing or clubs are asking to send them back, so you see what a mess it was in.

“It got better for a while and it’s dropped off again.

“I look at the squad now, it’s very good.

“We just need to start getting a continuity with it.”

Wheeler isn’t one for looking at the league table but he’s well aware of Maidstone’s position.

He’s concerned but is confident results will improve.

He said: “I think you’re a fool if you’re not worried at all but we’ve just got to stick together and keep pushing.

“You put two or three wins together, which will happen at one point, then you start trying to climb out of it.

“It can change very quickly.

“A lot of teams have got players on loan until January and they might go and then everything fluctuates.

“We’ve got to dust ourselves off and just go again.”

Maidstone visit National South high-fliers Woking in the FA Trophy first round on Saturday.

The Cards sit second in the table and are looking forward to an FA Cup third-round tie against Premier League Watford after beating League 2 Swindon.

Wheeler said: “We can’t take it lightly. They’re a good team, they’ve beaten a decent league team in the FA Cup last week.

“I’m not going to lie to you, our focus is fully on the league but it’s something we want to do well in and it will be a nice break for us.”

On-loan Maidstone winger Jamar Loza scored a hat-trick for the Cards last weekend but can’t play against his parent club.

Defender Charlie Wassmer, on a month’s loan at the Gallagher from Woking, also sits out the tie.