WHINNEY Hill manager Steve Cunningham has settled in well at the club and expects his side to avoid relegation from the East Lancs League First Division.

Cunningham has brought in four new players since his appointment and thinks the willingness for his side to enjoy themselves is why players want to work with him.

Plans are already in place for next season, but the Whinney Hill boss wants to bring in some silverware before that.

Cunningham's side have four games remaining this season, the boss has highlighted two of them as 'very winnable'.

"I already knew the league when I became manager here so that was a big help for me," said Cunningham.

"Knowing how the league works and the quality of the teams in it was an advantage because I was able to prepare my side for it.

"I've brought in four players and I was aware of the sort of quality that I needed in order to keep us in the league and push on next season.

"We've won our last three games and these players have contributed massively to that. We're two points above the drop zone but I'm fully confident we'll stay up.

"I want to win the cup this season, I don't see why we can't go on add bring some silverware home.

"Next season, with the new players I'll be bringing in, I expect us to be challenging for the league. We'll be in the top three at the least."

The Whinney Hill boss has been in management for 10 years, so has built a good rapport with a lot of players.

He thinks the way he makes his training sessions fun and wants his players to enjoy themselves is what draws new players to him.

"I'd like to think the lads all enjoy themselves when they play for me. I try to make the training sessions fun for them," added Cunningham.

"Everyone works all week and we have families, football is a place for them to escape from all that for a few hours a week.

"Don't get me wrong, once we're out there on the field whether it's training or a match, we always want to win."

"In the changing rooms before they go out for kick off I always say to them 'don't forget we're here to enjoy ourselves'," said Cunningham.

Whinney Hill are planning on having a reserve side for next season as Cunningham highlighted how '10 to 12 lads' want to join the club.

"We'll be having a reserve side next season, we've got 10 to 12 lads who are looking to come down in the summer," said Cunningham.

"Having a reserve side will be good for us because we can have a high number of players in the squad and I'll have the chance to take a look at them all for the first team.

"I know there are four lads who are at Nelson who want to come and join us for next season."