CHORLEY boss Mark Molyneaux has urged Magpies fans to keep their feet firmly on the ground despite the club's flying start to the new season.

After almost a decade in the doldrums, there is suddenly a buzz of expectation around Victory Park once again.

Last week's 5-0 FA Cup win over Liversedge came hot on the heels of a 4-1 trouncing of Bishop Auckland -- a result which took the Magpies up to the heady heights of fifth in the UniBond First Division table.

But one man refusing to get carried away by all the excitement is Molyneaux who insists it is going to take time to reawaken one of non-League football's sleeping giants.

"I know people are starting to get excited but our fans have got to remain patient because you can't turn things around overnight," said Molyneaux.

"As far as I'm concerned, there's still a lot of work to be done at this club because it's going to take time for all the new players to bed in.

"But when that happens, I'm confident we could then be in a position to try and achieve what we've set out to do over the next couple of years."

Since he succeeded Ken Wright as manager towards the end of last season, Molyneaux has ushered in a mini revolution at Victory Park.

The first team squad has been completely overhauled thanks to a major influx of new blood over the summer.

And on top of that, the creation of a new reserve side -- run by two coaches from Manchester United's Youth academy -- means there is now also a healthy pool of back-up talent waiting in the wings, so much so that the Magpies now have over 50 players on their books.

As a result, Molyneaux currently has his work cut out in keeping everyone happy but when he has tried to loan out players he has found it a thankless task.

"I've been trying to get people out on loan but they've told me they'd rather stay and take their chances in the reserves because there's such a good atmosphere here," said Molyneaux.

"But, having said that, those lads who have been on the bench for the last four or five games could do with going on loan somewhere because they need games to keep themselves sharp."

Such is the strength in depth at Molyneaux's disposal that last season's leading scorer Andy Mason failed to make the 16 on duty for last week's Cup tie with Liversedge.

That decision was subsequently justified, however, as the Magpies roared to a 5-0 win with recent signing Lee Wilkinson notching a hat-trick.

"Lee might not be the fastest striker in the world but you know when you play a ball up to him that he's going to hold it up and bring other players in," said Molyneaux.

"And that's crucial in terms of the way we play because we like to get people bombing forward from midfield."

The one downside from last week's performance, however, was the sending off of Wilkinson's strike-partner, Dean Butterworth, which could, ironically, hasten Mason's return.

"I'm not normally one for having a go at referees but some of them are absolutely woeful at the moment," fumed Molyneaux.

"It was a nothing incident and that decision spoilt an otherwise great game. I just wish the referee could have used some common sense because we were 4-0 up at the time.

"Nevertheless, we've got to learn from that because we are trying to keep a lid on the discipline front and Deano will now be missing for three games."

Butterworth will at least be free to continue against Alfreton at Victory Park tomorrow in what could be the Magpies' toughest test so far.

The recently-promoted Derbyshire side are currently second in the table after three wins and a draw from their opening four games.

And Molyneaux is anticipating a stern examination of his own side's promotion credentials.

"I know from when I used to play at Trafford that there's a big-club syndrome surrounding Chorley and it's the same situation because everyone wants to beat us.

"So this should be a test of how far we've come."

David Lowe (hip) is a fitness doubt but Joe Murray could return after scoring the winner against Rossendale recently.