By Pete Oliver

Aldershot Town caretaker boss Martin Kuhl hopes an impressive end to the season will help him land the manager's job on a permanent basis.

Kuhl took temporary charge of the Shots following the departure of the long-serving Terry Brown at the end of last month.

The former Portsmouth and Birmingham City midfielder has since led the Conference club to three wins in four games to add weight to his application.

"I have told them that I want the job and things are going quite well at the moment," Kuhl told BBC Sport.

"All the chairman has said to me is to get my CV in, which I have done. It's a big position with a lot of people involved and they will go through the procedures.

"But I have got the position at the moment, the lads are playing for me and if they keep doing that it will strengthen my position.

I don't fear pressure - That does not bother me - I am used to that and I think I work well under pressure Martin Kuhl

"It's up to the board what they do, but the boys are playing for me. I am doing things my way and this is a chance for me.

"I am in charge and I am making the decisions, although I have to rely on the players and they are working well."

Aldershot started their search for a new manager when mutually agreeing to part company with Brown following an impressive five-year stint at the Recreation Ground.

During that time, the former Hayes boss, who was ready to step down to spend time with his ill wife, had taken the Shots up into the Conference and twice into the play-offs.

Kuhl had been part of that success after progressing from community officer to become youth, reserve and then first-team coach.

And the 42-year-old, who also played for Sheffield United, Derby and Bristol City during a 550-game club career, believes he is now equipped for his first senior management post.

"I feel I have done my apprenticeship," Kuhl said.

"I have done my badges and qualifications and worked up from the youths and I feel comfortable doing the job.

One or two players have under-achieved but if we get the right ones in we will not be far off Martin Kuhl

"I don't fear pressure. That does not bother me. I am used to that and I think I work well under pressure.

"I get on well with the lads and the media, so why not give it a go? People talk about experience but even the top managers had to start somewhere."

A number of other names, notably former Farnborough, Stevenage and Rushden and Diamonds boss Graham Westley, have been linked with the vacancy.

But Kuhl is stating an impressive case and believes the change at the top has put a spark in everyone's step, with the players looking to impress whoever gets the job.

A run for the play-offs may have come just too late but Kuhl believes successful foundations are in place and he will be aiming high should he be appointed in a full-time capacity in the summer.

He added: "The team is not far short. Tel and I put a team together to play good football and win and it just needs tweaking.

"One or two players have under-achieved but if we get the right ones in we will not be far off. You are just looking at three or four players and then it's not a bad team.

"This is a big club. The Conference is full of ex-League clubs who are trying to get back in and have not found it easy.

"We are no different here but we have taken it one step at a time and hopefully we will go through the leagues."