Northampton supremo Keith Barwell believes the appointment of former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith as first-team boss will inspire the Saints to a return to the good times.

Barwell believes under the guidance of Smith, who has started work at Northampton although he is still yet to sign a contract, will rejuvenate Northampton's lacklustre season.

"I am confident that we can be in the top six of the league by Christmas as well as reach the quarter-finals of the National Cup," said an optimistic Barwell

"Then we will go from there.

"Wayne is a world-class coach, and I am sure he and (director of rugby) John Steele will work very well together to bring this team forward."

Smith is more restrained. Although he says he is thinking big, he claims results will take time.

"I saw the players play against Newcastle on Sunday," said the man who was replaced by former England assistant coach John Mitchell in charge of New Zealand earlier this year.

"We showed that we have a lot of hunger but we also looked like we lacked confidence.

"That is why we have got to take little steps if we are to reach our dream of being a successful side. You have to do those little things well and pay attention to detail."

Smith has also dismissed suggestions that he is set to ring the changes at Franklin's Gardens in search of immediate results. All Blacks Jeff Wilson and Taine Randall as well as coach Tony Gilbert have all been linked to the club since it was rumoured Smith was to take over the coaching reins.

He continued: "I am not coming into this and saying 'this is the way we're going to do this' and 'this is the way we're going to do that'. I have no plans to revolutionise things.

"What I want to do is establish the fundamentals over the next couple of weeks and get to know the club and the players.

"I am also happy with the coaching structure and will not be making any immediate changes."

Steele, who as a result of Smith's appointment will take a back seat in the coaching department, added he supports Barwell's decision to recruit the new man.

"Last month he stated that we were not performing well enough. He said that was down to the coaches and the players. That is why changes had to be made and a world class coach appointed," said Steele.

"We identified several people for the job, but Wayne was head and shoulders above the rest."