Simon Bassey has brought in Steven Reid to help out with first-team coaching duties.
With a wealth of experience at the top level as a player and a coach, Steven is a personality who Simon believes will be of real benefit during a testing time for the club.
"Steven is a friend of mine, he is someone I've known for a long time," said Simon. "I got to know him through the coaching courses I've attended over the years and I know how he works. It was no surprise to me when Steven finished playing that he went straight in and worked at Championship level. He coached at Reading with huge success, helping the club into the Championship play-off final. Then he progressed to Crystal Palace under Roy Hodgson, working with very experienced staff. He arrived at Crystal Palace when they were cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier League and he played a part in steering them clear of the relegation zone.
"Steven has huge experience as a player and huge experience as a coach. He is aware of the situation we are in, but he has experience of being in a relegation battle at Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Any help that Steven can give to me and to the players will be of huge benefit to us. It gives us an outside pair of eyes to come in and take a fresh look at the players, which I think will be helpful."
Following a playing career that included stints in the Premier League with Blackburn and West Brom, Kingston-born Steven has had successful coaching spells as a first-team coach at Reading and Crystal Palace.
Simon added: "Steven has taken some time out from football after leaving Crystal Palace and he is just coming in to help out. I am hugely thankful for that. Anyone who has met Steven will tell you that he is an absolute diamond man. Steven is calm and experienced too, as he's been through promotion and relegation battles in his career. He is genuinely one of the nicest people you will meet, but he is also very focused and determined."