GRAYS Athletic manager Mark Bentley admits he is growing frustrated at being unable to tie his players down after the departures of three high-profile names.

Conor Gough, Manny Parry and Aaron Best have joined Concord Rangers, Maidstone United and VCD Athletic respectively, the two formers since the end of the season, which saw Grays finish a point outside the play-off places.

And Bentley says he is looking forward to the start of pre-season, when he will be able to agree terms with players “I have only lost two of the squad who finished last season and everyone else wants to come back. The big frustration is that I cannot sign any of them yet to keep the vultures away.

“At the moment it's just the case of preparing training and match schedules and hoping the phone doesn't ring about another departure. “Manny and Conor have both decided to take the opportunity to play a league higher and I would not stand in any players way if they wanted to do this.

“New players have been identified and been spoken to come in, “ he continued, “but there is still no guarantee they won’t change their minds between now and when they sign league forms which is obviously a concern.”

The Blues boss has been enjoying the off-season with his family, and says he has been reflecting on his first season in non-league management.

And he says he has a different approach to a number of managers.

“I don't think you will ever see me hurling abuse or throwing cups about in the changing room,” he said. “I have been on the receiving end of that as a player and I think that probably intimidated me the first time I saw it then after that you just think shut up. I have never really understood that style of management because you’re not actually solving the problem.

“Players are sensitive souls and some need addressing different to others, I think it’s important to understand each individual needs quickly.”

Bentley believes second-placed Hendon, and relegated National League South sides Farnborough and Staines Town will be the teams to watch in the new season.

And he says he has his own goals next year.

“Expectations amongst everyone is higher now and I wouldn’t want to be at a club that would just settle for mid table or below. At some point I know I will have to deal with a run of poor results, something that hasn’t happened yet, so the longer I can prevent that will mean we are going in the right direction.”