St Ives Town manager Ricky Marheineke admits the time has come to ring the changes.

The Saints chief confirmed he plans to shuffle his pack in the next few days following a miserable start to the season.

His side have won just one of their opening 10 games in the Southern League Premier Division and picked up only five points from a possible 30 to sit third-bottom.

And they were thumped 6-2 by lower-level tenants Cambridge City in a Southern League Challenge Cup first round exit on Monday night.

Marheineke declined to reveal the names – or indeed the exact number – of players on his hit-list, but it is understood that up to four members of his squad could be shown the door.

“Almost a quarter of the season has already gone,” stated Marheineke. “And now is the time for us to act.

“I’ve given certain people the benefit of the doubt as I didn’t want to make rash decisions, but it’s time for some to move on and to bring others in.

“There are some tough conversations to be had in the next couple of days, but that’s part of the job. We will be in a better place as a result of this.”

Marheineke handed debuts to French defender Carl Langa, recent midfield signing Jamie Nicholls and local lad Matt Wright in the cup clash against Cambridge City.

Saints fell behind in the opening minute and found themselves 4-0 down by the break.

Peter Clark and Lee Chaffey struck their goals in the second period when City also found the net on two further occasions.

Marheineke added: “It wasn’t about the result – that was irrelevant as far as I am concerned.

“Of course I’m not happy to have lost, but I made the decision to look at some new players and also chose to select some of the lads whose mentality and desire has been questioned of late.

“There were questions that needed answers – and we now have them even if they’re not necessarily the ones we wanted.”

The Saints squad could have a different look to it by the time they entertain Tiverton in a Premier Division clash this Saturday. Marheineke’s men then go to Royston on Tuesday.

Only one team is to be relegated from the Premier Division this season due to a restructure of the non-league system.