Dartford manager Ady Pennock wants to turn their play-off tears into cheers.
The Darts boss admitted his side have suffered a hangover after last season's disappointment at the beginning of the new campaign.
They lost the play-off final at home to Dover in May and have been hit by injuries, red cards and three early cup exits this term.
But Pennock has added fresh players to his squad and they showed their class with a 3-0 home win over Whitehawk on Tuesday night to climb up to seventh in the Isthmian Premier table.
"Personally, I think we've had a bit of a hangover from last year," admitted Pennock.
"Obviously to lose in the final, we've got a lot of youngsters and there were a lot of tears at the end of the season.
"I think we had a little bit of a hangover. And I still think that some of the players haven't turned up yet, in my opinion.
"But they've seen me tinker it a little bit. Four have gone out and we've got players coming in. I've had trialists come in as well on a Tuesday or a Thursday when we haven't had a game.
"So, they're thinking, 'he does mean business'. I think they know me anyway - they know what I'm like."
Gifted midfielder Jacob Bland, formerly of Chelmsford, has joined Dartford from Bowers although he did spend some time with the Darts in pre-season.
Dan Carter, who can play wide or centrally in midfield, has arrived on loan from Leyton Orient.
"We were poor in the cups, obviously," added Pennock. "We were so disappointed in the cup games.
"I've tinkered with the squad, there's been some players leave and there's been some players come in and it just freshens it up a little bit.
"The players that have come in are young, enthusiastic and hungry and it just gives everybody a lift, it's similar to what happened last year.
"I honestly think we could have had another nine points. But we weren't brave enough on the ball to kill a game or just go and get another goal or defend properly.
"We've been working hard in training and the boys know I mean business. I'm not here just to plod along in mid-table."
Dartford took a creditable point off leaders Brentwood last Saturday and followed it up with three points in midweek.
They'll be looking to continue their climb up the table when they host Potters Bar at Princes Park this Saturday.
Pennock knows there's more levels to come from his players.
"We've still got a long way to go yet but it's got to come from everybody," stated the Darts boss.
"I think that's given everybody a kick up the backside, which they needed and everybody needed some new faces.
"I want to improve the club and that's what we're doing - it was a big performance and a big win.
"I was a little bit disappointed we didn't get the three points on Saturday because first half we played really well. Brentwood were flying, they'd had eight wins on the spin and haven't lost at home but the performance was really good and we were another level again on Tuesday.
"We need to keep going, keep our heads down and keep working. Our work-rate off the ball was very good. We kept the ball, everybody wanted the ball and I've been asking for that for a while.
"We dominated from start to finish. We used the width, we passed it through thirds and scored three very good goals as well."