Richard Hill is set to add some “blood and guts” to Whitehawk after landing the manager’s job at the second time of asking.

Hill, who won National League south with Eastleigh and took them to the brink of the Football League, meets up with his squad for the first time ahead of today’s home game with Chelmsford.

He replaces Pablo Asensio, who was sacked on Thursday evening along with his assistant Helder Silva.

Hill spoke to Hawks skipper Sergio Torres yesterday as he acquainted himself with his new task.

He is willing to give the multi-national line-up assembled by Asensio a chance but new signings look certain – possibly before next Saturday’s FA Cup tie at East Thurrock.

The new boss told The Argus: “Until you work with players, you don’t know them.

“I like experience in my team because I think it helps you win things. I like my players to be able to run.

“And I think the level of football we are at also requires a bit of strength.

“I’m not knocking the previous incumbent but our game is a little bit more than tippy-tappy. It’s a bit more blood and guts.

“I’ve got to the play-offs in this league and I’ve won this league and hopefully I can do that again.

“But you can’t do that without your players and without the right kind of players.

“The current players will be given an opportunity but we will have a look at the situation.

“It’s unfortunate we come in a week away from the FA Cup.

“But they have got an opportunity to prove themselves to me.

“I have to make a decision on players in a pretty short space of time.

“If I believe there are players out there who can improve the squad, I will ask the owners and the chairman if I can bring those players in.”

Hill applied for the Hawks job when Steven King was sacked last season.

Asensio was appointed as caretaker boss and that became more permanent this summer as he agreed a two-year deal.

The popular Argentinean brought in a sizeable contingent of players from overseas but there was concern at the club over their slow start to the season.

Discontent seemed to increase sharply after a 0-0 draw with rock bottom Concord Rangers in their most recent home match.

Hill said: “There is a lot of work to be done in a short space of time.

“I know Danny Mills, I know Sergio, I know Mike West, I have heard a lot about Ahmed Abdulla.

“I know a bit about Duncan Culley, who is out on loan. But I should know about those players, shouldn’t I?

“I don’t know so much about the foreign boys.

“I’ve had a very good conversation with Sergio.

“I asked for his opinion with regards to a potential team but in no way have I asked him to give me an outright opinion on any individual.

“That would be wrong because he has to play with them.

“I will pick the team to play Chelmsford with the help of one or two others. But, ultimately, it will be my team.”

The new boss is likely to bring in an assistant if given the green light by the club. He said: “I will do a lot of coaching, as I did at Eastleigh.

“I would like to bring someone else in with me but that is dependent on the club he is with now and if they are willing to part ways.”