BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent assistant boss Pip Boyland believes the club’s plans to bring in more players shows their great ambition.

The R’s have hit a rich vein of form and lost just one of their last seven Bostik League premier division fixtures, heading into tomorrow’s clash at home to Bognor Regis Town (kick-off 7.45pm).

Nevertheless, boss Tom Rothery is striving for more and hinted on Twitter on Sunday night that he could be close to bringing at least one fresh face to the Taydal Stadium.

Boyland believes it shows a determination to keep improving and gives the existing players in the squad healthy competition.

“It could be a very exciting second-half of the season and it’s great that the manager’s still looking to strengthen,” he told the Gazette.

“We want to be ambitious and competitive and not settle for being a bottom-half side.

“That’s great because it means the players know they can’t relax.

“They have to perform well in order to keep the shirt.

“Hopefully we can keep going from strength to strength and there’s a real buzz around the club at the moment.

“That shows in our recent results and performances.

“We’re staying in games, competing and picking up points, which is a really good sign.

“More players are showing greater consistency and eight or nine of them are having good games, as opposed to one, two, three or four.

“Because of that, we don’t fear anyone and believe we can give any side in our division a really tough game.

“We have a strong belief in these players.

“We know they’re good enough and it’s great seeing them doing so well.”

Brightlingsea drew 2-2 at Tonbridge Angels on Saturday, having been two-up thanks to goals from Harvey Hodd and Billy Hunt.

The hosts then hit back with two late strikes, with their equaliser coming just six minutes from time.

Even so, Boyland was encouraged and said: “It was disappointing to concede a couple of late goals but there were a lot more positives than negatives, which was very pleasing from a coaching point of view.

“The players are really gelling and adapting to the information we’re giving them, which is making a massive difference.

“I’m a big believer that you have to enjoy your football. Otherwise what’s the point?

“Tom’s very good at creating an environment where the players can enjoy their football, express themselves and play with smiles on their faces.

“They’re really buying into that and it means the atmosphere in the dressing room is great.”