BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent boss Kem Izzet believes his players have become "stale and stagnant" and need to demand higher standards of each other.

Regent have lost both matches since the Colchester United legend took over, sliding to a 3-0 defeat at Worthing before bowing out of the FA Trophy at home to Royston Town on Saturday.

Izzet says he has been disappointed not to see a greater reaction from his players, in terms of their desire and workrate.

"If I'm honest, the one thing that's disappointed me is the fact there hasn't been a greater response from the players," he said.

"Normally in football there's some kind of reaction when a new manager comes in.

"We see it all the time, at all levels.

"Players up their workrate, put themselves out there and want to make an impression.

"But I haven't seen that so far.

"As a group, things have become a bit stale and stagnant and that's why I need to bring in new players, to help shake things up.

"Our tempo needs to improve and we need more characters, to demand higher standards of each other.

"I haven't seen anyone digging each other out yet but criticism is part of the game, just as praise is.

"You have to take the rough with the smooth and if you can't, you're in the wrong industry."

Izzet is hoping to sign at least two players before this weekend's BetVictor Isthmian League premier division match against Kingstonian, at the Taydal Stadium.

"I need to get players in and ideally a couple this week, so they can train with the boys and start to understand what I'm looking for," he said.

"It's hard because for every player you sign, you probably need to speak to seven or eight.

"It's a slow process and one of my worst character traits is impatience.

"It's frustrating because I want things to change sooner rather than later.

"But when things do start to turn, as I know they will, it will be so satisfying and rewarding.

"There's a lot to do and it's going to take time. It's going to be a gradual process.

"I'm asking the boys to do jobs they haven't done before and it's a challenge.

"I understand that and I'm not under any illusions but, in the meantime, we have to find ways of staying in games and being competitive."

Brightlingsea looked on course for a Trophy replay after Jake Turner's penalty on the stroke of half-time cancelled out Adam Watkins' opener for visiting Royston.

However, Josh Castiglione pounced nine minutes from time to secure a dramatic victory for the Hertfordshire side.

It was a cruel blow for Regent and Izzet, who was taking charge of his first match at the Taydal Stadium.

However, he said: "If I'm honest, we didn't deserve to go through.

"The score was probably a fair reflection, although at least we were in it for long periods rather than being blown away 3-0 (as happened at Worthing).

"That was one positive."

Brightlingsea visit Bowers and Pitsea for an Essex Senior Cup third-round tie next Tuesday night.