DAVE Allen has credited fast mover Steve Riley with inspiring Bashley’s promising start – by completing his summer transfer business in double-quick time.

Captain Allen believes Riley’s decision to build his squad with early reinforcements has laid the platform for their fine opening to the Southern Premier campaign.

Boss Riley recruited the likes of James Stokoe, Liam Green and Matt Finlay during the close-season – allowing his team to gel before competitive fixtures kicked off.

The New Forest outfit have reaped the rewards of that approach by claiming four wins and 13 points from their seven league matches so far.

Allen told the Daily Echo: “It has been a really good start and it is nice to be in the top half of the table after seven games.

“We have put ourselves in a good position and, hopefully, we can kick on from there.

“Steve brought in quite a few players but all the boys have settled quickly. He got in most of his signings at the start of pre-season which helped because we had the whole of pre-season together.

“Ross Lloyd was probably only one of the few who came in after the season started, but even he has gelled really well.

“In pre-season, there is no pressure of three points on games and there is no league table to look at, so you can work on things. The fact Steve got who he wanted pretty soon after last season had finished helped everyone.”

Allen, who is targeting 10 to 15 goals from central midfield this term, is hoping Bash can force their way into the play-off mix come the new year.

He said: “From a team point of view, we will see where we are at Christmas.

“If we are in a position to maybe reach the play-offs then great.

“If we are in a different position then we will have to work on it as it is at the time.”

The attacking midfielder, who can also play as a striker, reckons Riley has good options at his disposal.

But the Recreation Ground skipper admits the upcoming exit of top performer Chris Knowles – who is heading to Australia to coach and play, initially for 12 months – will be a big loss.

Allen added: “We have got a really good nucleus of a squad.

“We lose Chris Knowles as of next week, which will be a massive blow, but if we could maybe get a like-for-like replacement then we would still have a really good squad.”