Sergio Torres lost his patience with some of Whitehawk’s foreign legion during their troubled start to the season.

Now the popular Argentinean midfielder has praised new boss Richard Hill’s squad overhaul.

Hawks could give seven players their home debuts when they take on Oxford City in Hill’s second game at the Enclosed Ground.

The seven, including ex-Albion left-back Dan Harding, are all English and five are hugely experienced Seven Brazilian players, including full-backs Rodrigo Mann and Gabriel Yan, left the club this week.

Torres, who has been in England for 15 years, knows what is required in the sixth tier – but he suspects a few around him did not.

Things came to a head for the former Crawley and Wycombe favourite after the 2-1 defeat to Maidenhead last month.

Boss Pablo Asensio hinted after the game that the skipper had not been happy as Hawks failed to chase the game going down the slope.

Now Torres has told The Argus: “Yes, I said a few words. It didn’t get heated but I was really frustrated when I saw people next to me not trying hard enough.

“That is one thing I soon learned about England. We can all have a bad patch or bad game or make a mistake but English players run for 95 minutes.

“They have that spot-on attitude and I wasn’t getting that, mainly from the Brazilian guys. I’m normally a quiet guy but, if I’m running past a 21-year-old, there is something wrong.

“I’m giving 100% every game. I love to get involved. Of course I can miss a pass or have a bad game but that right attitude comes first for me.

“We now have that English attitude. You can see that from the last two games. The team have worked very hard for each other.”

Torres praised Asensio’s efforts in reviving the team last season but felt he got it wrong with his summer signings.

He said: “I love Pab, I get on really well with him and he got us to the play-off semi-final last year when we were nearly relegated at the point he took over.

“He did some recruitment but I believe it was a bit too much. It was only me and Millsy (striker Danny Mills) left from the team.

“I said to him ‘They might be good players coming in but we need some players who know the level’.

“Conference south is not just tippy-tappy football. It’s very physical – and we know that.

The Argus:

Torres had words after this defeat by Maidenhead. Picture by David Hunt

“I like Pab because he stuck to his guns and he just wanted to play football but it is really hard to play good football at this level.

“Teams put you under pressure, they kick it long, they use set-pieces, they have big players and we were struggling against physical teams.

“The club made a decision to change Pab and let players go. Richard came on board and so far it has been really good.

“We needed more experience at this level and the last couple of results show that.”

Hill spoke at length to Torres after taking charge two weeks ago.

But there is one twist. The new boss is great mates with John Gregory, the manager who let Torres go at Crawley.

 

Torres said: “I met Richard once, when we played a friendly against Eastleigh behind closed doors.

“John was okay with me at Crawley but probably I wasn’t his type of player. My contract finished and he didn’t give me a new one.

“I was in and out of his team so, when Richard took over, I was thinking hopefully he is going to like me a bit more!

“A new manager brings in new players and you wonder where you are going to fit in.

“I have to get my head down. But I’m still the skipper and I’m enjoying my football.”

Kleyton Agostini, Lucho Infante, Matheus da Silva, Jose Mauricio Guzzi and Marcos Ribeiro are the other Brazilians who have left Hawks.

Javier Favarel, Ramon Marimon and goalkeepers Lucas Covolan and Adri Munoz remain under contract.