TERRAS chairman Ian Ridley insists that there is no panic at the Wessex Stadium following Weymouth's surprising start to life in the Nationwide South with two defeats.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's trip to Bognor Regis, he told Echosport: "I can understand the concern of some fans with expectations so high following seven new signings over the summer but I would just urge a bit of patience.

"This is a quality squad and will gel very soon, believe me. In Steve Claridge we have a fantastic manager here for the long haul and who is helping to build a club as well as a team. He has recruited players of ability and character and that will pay off in the long term. I do believe that form is temporary and class is permanent.

"The Cambridge game last Saturday was, to be honest, a shock to everyone's system in front of a big crowd but even though the team know that they performed poorly, they were still worth a point given all the late pressure.

"Then at Newport on Wednesday, I thought we contained them well against the wind and battered them with it, creating a host of chances, only to shoot ourselves in the foot on the few occasions Newport broke out. The performance, though, was worth three points. And performance is very important.

"Afterwards the players looked determined to me to put things right. I'm sure someone is going to pay and get a real hammering very soon."

Ridley insists player-boss Claridge is under no pressure whatsoever from the Terras' board of directors and is fully confident in the former Portsmouth manager's ability.

He added: "I have total faith in the manager and the squad and with some fine-tuning we will be on track soon, I am certain. The fans so far have been fantastic in their support and the vast majority are staying positive.

"They recognise what we have achieved and are seeking to achieve and know we are getting there. I hope we'll turn on a show of the real Weymouth for them against Maidenhead at the Wessex next Wednesday.

"Sometimes a bit of adversity can be good for the soul. If we all keep the faith, we won't be far away. After all, the bookies rarely get things wrong. I take comfort in an old football saying that it's not how you start but how you finish that counts."

Claridge, meanwhile, is Weymouth's major doubt for the game in Sussex tomorrow - he missed Wednesday's defeat at Newport County with a chest infection and a hip injury.

He'll have a late fitness test with ex-Coventry and Bournemouth striker Chukki Eribenne the most likely to partner Lee Phillips up front should the manager again miss out.

Bognor, who include ex-Terra Luke Nightingale within their ranks, have had a mixed start to their Conference South campaign having beaten Margate last Saturday and lost to Lewis in midweek.