Neville Southall believes Hastings United can lift the Ryman division one championship trophy this season - and he is not joking.

United are nestled in mid-table, 21 points behind leaders AFC Wimbledon and ten short of second-placed Horsham, with 15 fixtures left.

The play-offs for a place in Conference south might seem a more realistic target with United just five points off fifth position but the Wales goalkeeping legend has challenged his side to gain automatic promotion.

Confidence is high as they face Whyteleafe at the Pilot Field tomorrow. United are unbeaten in eight league games and six since Southall took charge.

He said: "I don't want to say that we might squeeze into the play-offs. I want to win the league because if you don't aim for the top you don't get anywhere. We want Conference south football here next season.

"I feel we can keep our unbeaten record going. I can't see any teams who can play us off the pitch.

"I don't worry about the opposition. You can only look after yourself.

"The longer we go unbeaten the more we can draw on successful experiences.

"I preach a positive message and it is getting through to the players.

"I talked to the team about which player they thought they played like. Names like Oliver Khan, Rio Ferdinand, Alan Smith and Lee Trundell came up. Then I told them to follow their examples. The big names have got talent but they are top players because they work hard. That's what I want from my players."

Southall, who won league, FA Cup and European club honours at Everton, plus a record 92 caps for Wales, believes he has instilled a more professional attitude at the Pilot Field since taking over in December.

He said: "I hope it is more professional, the players know what to do on the ball, off the ball and at set pieces. They've got clearly defined roles, there are no grey areas. They seem to like what I've asked of them."

Southall has switched training nights from Tuesdays and Thursdays to Mondays and Tuesdays.

He said: "It enables them to have three days of mental rest without the interruption of training, "We've not done tons of training. I want them fresh for games.

"Brian Clough used to get his Nottingham Forest players to walk up and down the banks of the Trent rather than train them to death and they won the European Cup twice. I won't overdo it either. So far we've done okay. The lads have shown a good attitude. The defence and midfield have been solid and the strikers have been particularly impressive.

"The attitude and talent has been better than I expected, although there was a blip in the first half against Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday which was put right in the second.

"But we still need a bit more quality. It's easy to pick up players but not so easy to pick up quality players."

Southall has stepped up his search for new faces because Ryan Barnard and Darryl Wilson, players he brought in, have quit the club this week.

He said: "They found the travelling from London a bit of a problem and Ryan has got himself fixed up with Carshalton.

"But every cloud has a silver lining and it opens the way for a couple of players not in the mix to catch my eye. But I'll still be looking to add the extra quality we need."