Things are going to change at Sittingbourne as new boss Ryan Maxwell gets stuck into the job.

Maxwell has succeeded Nick Davis, who left by mutual consent last week with the Brickies third-bottom in Isthmian South East.

The Northern Irishman watched Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by promotion-chasing Whitehawk.

He called the players in for training on Monday and believes he will have a team playing in his mould in just three weeks.

The current squad have been told in no uncertain terms what’s required if they want to stay at the club, although changes are inevitable.

Maxwell, 39, was working two levels up in National South with Braintree Town last season, impressively leading them to safety.

He’s ready to get back to work after a break, answering the call from vice-chairman Andrew Marjeram to get Sittingbourne moving in the right direction.

His first official game in charge is at league leaders Ramsgate this Saturday (3pm).

“Andrew did a hell of a lot to get me here, in all the right ways,” said Maxwell.

“I know a bluffer or a true person when I meet one and Andrew’s certainly a true person.

“I also know a good club when I see one. It’s a privilege to be here and I think the players need a reminder of that.

“The owners and everyone attached to the club deserve better and that’s something I’m going to drill home.

“I really want to change the way Sittingbourne are perceived. The DNA needs to change and I will do that very quickly. After what I saw on Saturday, the commitment level needs to be above 100%.

“I called the players in for training on Monday. A few of the boys said they had work and I said can you try and get out of it?

“I understand we all have jobs but ultimately you have to make sacrifices and bend if you’re going to be successful, otherwise everyone would be successful.

“It’ll be a culture shock for them. I’m sure some won’t survive - that’s the nature of the beast - but the ones who do will be better for it.

“I’ve given this a lot of thought and I think it will take three weeks before you see a Ryan Maxwell team that no one wants to play against.

“Everyone will get an opportunity to impress.

“I’ve seen one game and after we’ve played Ramsgate, I’ll know who I want and what I need.

“I saw some decent things as a bystander against Whitehawk and I saw things that will never happen once I’ve had a few training sessions with them.

“That’s good because it means there’s a lot of scope for improvement.”

Sittingbourne have talented players but, for whatever reason, they haven’t been doing it.

It’s a conversation Maxwell has already had with the squad.

“The boys are under-performing,” he said.

“I’ve had this chat with them all individually over the phone and I look forward to the response they give me.

“Ultimately, they need to buck their ideas up and get to the levels they should be at.

“I’ll remove Duane Acheampong from that because I thought he did well on Saturday until he got injured.

“There’s players there with the experience and quality and they’ve got to show it not in fits and starts but every single week.

“There’s no point having a good CV if you’re not going to prove it.

“There will be changes to the squad. I’d be unrealistic and a liar if I said there wouldn’t be.

“There needs to be changes but I’m hoping it won’t need to be wholesale. I’m hoping I get a response from the players to what I’ve said to them.

“I’ve had it before where players have maybe had a rocket up them and they’ve responded and stayed with me for the duration of my time at a club.”

Maxwell, who transformed Walthamstow from relegation certainties to Essex Senior League title contenders in his first managerial job, has also taken on a director of football role at Sittingbourne.

He’ll use the position to help bring about change at the club.

“The club need direction in all forms,” said Maxwell. “Andrew and I had a discussion and my goal, if I ever leave, is to be able to look back and say, ‘look where that club is now’.

“I want to put bricks in here, I want this to be a club the people of Sittingbourne are proud of.

“I want it to be run as professionally as any Step 2 club.

“There were 650 people here for the Sheppey game over Christmas. I want 650 coming here every week.”

Maxwell has named ex-Margate striker Che Stadhart as his assistant manager, with Billy McMahon joining as first-team coach.

Steve Whitton and Clint Gooding, who were on Davis’ staff, have left the club.