Captain Sean Mangan believes Harefield’s current position doesn’t reflect the skills the team possess, nevertheless a finish around the top six is still within sight for the defender.

Mangan, who was awarded the captaincy at the beginning of last season’s promotion winning campaign, believes small mistakes have been the discrepancies to the initial goal of a top four finish.

A devastating ankle fracture has temporarily halted any contribution to the cause on Mangan’s part after being sidelined for the past five weeks.

But with a return to the field as soon as next month, the return of a figure of experience in a squad containing some that haven’t played at step five may be the key to getting The Hares form back on track.

‘Our promotion from last season shows the league below is not where we belong,’ stated Mangan.

‘Having not played at this level for the last three years, there are lessons to be learnt'.

The defensive stalwart began his path to captaincy on Breakspear Road in the youth setup at the tender age of 13.

‘We also have some players in the team that have never played at this level, who have shown their capabilities, but like I said, we are always learning and always pushing for improvement as a team.'

The said players have not only improved, but have developed to become some of the first names on the team sheet for Jason Shaw and Michael Molokwu come Saturday afternoons.

‘Sam Shaw has been improving, but he has constantly been improving from the moment he began playing with us, he is a key player.’

Shaw is getting his first taste of football at step five, having joined from the youth setup in United’s absence from the Premier Division, and has netted six times thus far this season.

‘Paul Underwood has stood out for me, too.

‘His motivation and tactics on the pitch have shown how great an impact he can bring to every game.’

Rewinding back to August, pre-season hopes for the campaign were symbiotic across the club, mirrored by chairman Gary South and manager Jason Shaw- a top half finish at the least, possibly pushing for the top six.

Mangan’s ambition was even higher.

‘At the beginning of the season, I had hoped for the team to placing in the top four by it's end.

‘Our team is very capable of achieving that, with a great deal of talent spread throughout the team.

‘However, when it comes to our potential, I feel we have just reached the tip of the iceberg, and these things require patience and work, and in time it will come.

But now? Things are slightly different.

‘We are still learning and many things change through the season which we have to take in our stride, even so I feel as though we are not currently where we should be nor where we want to be.’

The ‘only’ stand out performance by the side this season in his regard was understandably the 6-1 home thumping handed out to Newport Pagnell Town.

‘That day we showed our true ability and how good we can be’ Mangan recounts.

Just one match to recall, slightly harsh maybe?

Any other team promoted to a higher division would be more than happy with a place at mid-table half way through the season.

But such is the winning mentality instilled from an unbeaten league campaign and cup run is that the aim is to finish no less than in the top half of the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division table.

‘I am happy that we are playing higher than we were last season, of course.

‘On the other hand, I am not over the moon with our current position, because it doesn't reflect the skill we possess as a team, nor what we are capable of achieving.

‘But we will keep learning and improving as time goes on.’

Such ambition would set the tone as ambivalent at present, after an overall poor return from what was a ‘winter break’ imposed by the elements onto a hapless Preston Park pitch in December.

‘When things are going well for a team, you start to gather momentum and opposing teams will find it extremely hard to stop you; however, the opposite of this is also true.

‘Sometimes things don't go your way, and little mistakes are scrutinised and punished and it's these times where we can feel like it’s impossible to get back to having the winning momentum we once had.’

The Hares have only picked up two wins in 2020, both of those coming in the Middlesex Senior Charity Cup.

‘Playing against tougher opposition raises the standard to which we need to be playing.

‘Again, there are lessons constantly being learnt.’

One of those wins came most recently against AFC Hayes, where Jason Shaw's men will look to utilise the victory to put the club back on course in the league.

The draw at home to Crawley Green was a devastating day for the squad in loss of personnel, including the captain, as well as vice-captain and top scorer Richard Pacquette still not in contention.

Describing his injury, Mangan describes recovery as ‘going very well’ and ‘everything moving as it should’, but expects March as a return date at the earliest.

With two vital components in terms of the team’s leadership injured, Ryan Wharton has had to shoulder on-field governance, but according to Mangan, the armband won't change the already commanding nature of his game.

‘He (Wharton) is greatly respected by myself and throughout the team.

‘Not just because of his natural ability but, his willingness to help the team improve and push us to where we should be.

‘He already captains this team, he don't need the armband to show that.’

In the haze of poor form, the excuse of post- December rustiness will be wearing thin, but the recent cup win against Hayes win may suggest an upturn.

Mangan’s confidence that things are almost certain to turn around is mirrored universally at all levels, and the long term goal isn’t to stick around in the ninth tier for too long either.

‘We seem to be going through a rough patch, but, things will turn around and when they do, I expect us to be finishing somewhere near the top 6.

‘In the long-term, our goal is for promotion again.

‘We all believe this club deserves to be higher than where we are currently, hopefully we can make that happen.’

Mangan concludes on a pleasing note, looking ahead to his long-term vision while at Harefield.

‘I have been at this club since I was a kid and I won't be playing anywhere else.

‘I love the club, so my future is here or nowhere.’

Such comments from a player whose presence and know how were so vital to success last season can be seen as nothing other than a positive for the Harefield faithful, safe in the knowledge his services to the club are secure for the foreseeable.