SAINTS defender Chris Perry believes new head coach Mark Wotte’s familiarity with the players will help him hit the ground running.

Wotte has been promoted from his previous role as academy director and reserve team manager to head coach, following Jan Poortvliet’s resignation.

And Wotte has already made some changes – including a greater emphasis on defending during training compared to Poortvliet.

Some believe Saints should have gone for an outsider when looking for Poortvliet’s replacement.

But Perry, 35, thinks that appointing a boss who already knows the squad was the right thing to do at this stage of the season.

“Often when you bring in a new manager it can take him three or four weeks just to assess the players,” Perry said.

“But Mark has got the advantage of knowing our strengths and weaknesses so he can come in and get to work straight away.

“He can address those problems very quickly, without the need to analyse the squad, and can come in with a very hands on approach.

“Sometimes you just need a change to alter your fortunes and hopefully that will be what happens.”

For the full story and extensive previews of tonight's crucial clash against Norwich, see today's Daily Echo.