PAUL Cox has wasted no time getting down to work as Guiseley's new manager and has told his players "You all start with a clean slate."

Cox met with the first-team squad for the first time on Tuesday night at the club's Crofton training base and spelt out his plans to lift the Lions away from the National League relegation zone.

The 45-year-old former Barrow, Mansfield, Torquay and Eastwood boss said: "It was important to meet the players as soon as possible and see what makes them tick as human beings.

"I am sure there will be a lot of anxiety and rumour-mongering about what we are going to do.

"These are uncertain times but I want to understand them as I assess the squad and I want them to buy in to my philosophy. I want to know their thoughts. Everybody starts with a clean slate."

Cox, who succeeds Adam Lockwood, added: "I want to give them the confidence to win matches because that is what this is all about. At times this can be a horrible business but it is all about results.

"I need to encourage the consistency in performance that will win us matches. There is always concern when you are not winning."

When asked if he was worried about Guiseley's plight with just five points from eight games – they dropped to second bottom when Solihull Moors beat Chester 2-0 as he was leading his first training session – he said: "At this time of the season, you seldom get jobs with a team that is second in the league.

"This is a great time to come in. There is time to work with the players and attack the league. It's about belief and knowing how to win games."

Cox has been joined by Ben Marvin as first-team coach. He worked with the new manager at Mansfield and Barrow.

"He is a UEFA B licence coach but he also does all the analysis and match reports for me, so he is multi-functional," said Cox.

"I hope to bring in assistant too but it has to be the right person with the same mindset. He will help with the scouting and preparation but I will be in charge of recruitment."

Cox will lead his new team for the first time on Saturday when they face Eastleigh at home – before returning to face his old club Barrow on Tuesday night at Holker Street.

He said: "I am sure the people who were cheering me when we had a 26-game unbeaten run will be having a dig on Tuesday. It's part and parcel of the game."