MATT Lucas has given player-manager Mark Jermyn a big thumbs up after the latter’s first month in the Magpies’ hot-seat.

Four wins in seven matches under Jermyn means Dorchester are now in a much healthier position than they were before he took over.

And chairman Lucas is impressed with how the club’s all-time record appearance maker has gone about his work.

“Obviously I’m very happy with the results of late and the way we have set up in games has been very encouraging,” he said.

“I’m also pleased with how Jem is very aware that this is his first job in management and he knows he is still finding his way.

“He is very confident as a person and a player but he is not getting ahead of himself, and that has impressed me.

“When you’ve played more than 600 games for the club, the one thing that Jem has got is the respect of every single player.

“Jem is one of those people who gets respect in everything they do because of the way they do it.

“He works extremely hard at his own game and I think that can rub off on others.”

But he added: “What we can’t do is rest on our laurels, we’ve got to keep pushing forward. Jem wouldn’t want his players to take things easy and I’m no different.”

*Dorchester’s reserves take on a Dorset XI at Verwood Town’s Potterne Park tonight (7.45pm).