ROSS Adams admits that he has been pleasantly surprised by the quality of Swindon Supermarine after dropping down two levels to link up with the squad.

The 31-year-old left Conference South side Basingstoke Town to join the Webb’s Wood Stadium team this summer.

And since his arrival in South Marston, Adams has been pleased with the make-up of Dave Webb’s squad.

“I came to Supermarine because I didn’t want to do the travelling that you need to do at Basingstoke,” Adams said.

“I wanted to be closer to home as I’ve got two young kids and having dropped down a couple of levels, I have been surprised by the quality that is here.

“They are all technically very good, they are comfortable on the ball and all want to get involved.

“The players are young too, so to have the quality that we have got has definitely surprised me.”

Adams, a former Swindon Town youngster, believes that the club has once again got to be targeting promotion.

For the past two years, Supermarine have reached the play-offs only to lose at the semi-final stage at Merthyr Town.

“The club have got close for the last two seasons, so we have got to go for promotion again – anything less would be disappointing,” said Adams, who played under Webb at Highworth Town.

“We have got the squad to do it so we have to be aiming high.

“One of the things that we need to change though is how we play against the teams in the lower half of the table.

“Last season, the club struggled against those teams, while doing well against the top teams. We need to do well against the sides who are down there.”

Adams has also echoed the sentiments of Marine assistant manager Lee Spalding in backing young striker Ryan Stanners to shine in the Southern League after switching from Hellenic Premier Division side Wootton Bassett Town.

“Stanners has done well in the pre-season - he has impressed me,” Adams said. “He has got a few goals and he has been looking good.

“Morsey (Josh Morse) down the left wing is another player who has done well in pre-season.

“It is a young squad here, but as I said before there is plenty of quality.”