Manager Dennis Greene said: “With me as a forward you always build a team with attacking flair, but Simon wants to take a look at our defence, has seen the team and believes we can get promoted this season.”

But the make or break month of December has begun to expose cracks for Windsor & Eton after a 2-1 defeat to Bognor Regis Town on Saturday and a 1-1 draw with Met Police on Tuesday night.

Greene had set the club a target of 18 points from eight league games prior to the weekend, but since the first week in November the Royalists have added just three from a possible 12.

But keeping everything in perspective, Bognor are true title challengers this term and Greene blamed what he saw as a controversial goal for Saturday’s defeat.

He said: “We were expecting to be given a corner but the referee gave a goal kick. We were disputing it and they (Bognor) ran up the other end and scored.

“We have only played about three league games in six weeks and back then we were nine points behind Lewes who were in second place.

“Now, if we win our game in hand we will still be eight points behind Lewes, which is nothing if we can get a run together.

“Our league position does not look too cleve, but if we can win two games then we will be up to eighth place, so you cannot really read too much into it.”

Greene has earmarked January 11 as the date when the real picture on whether the Royalists can attain promotion will become clear.

Though Greene did concede that he was glad tomorrow’s opponents were not that of Thame United and their FA Trophy third round game. Thame smashed Tilbury 6-1 in the Ryman League Division One North on Saturday.

Instead, Windsor & Eton face Horsham. Greene said: “It will be much a case of who takes their chances because the game is likely to be as tough as our matches with Lewes and Bognor Regis.”