Stay positive. That is the message from Eastbourne Borough manager Garry Wilson this week as he prepares his side for one of the toughest games of the season at Mansfield Town today (Saturday).
Borough will be seeking their second win in 12 games against a promotion-chasing side which has taken 13 points out of a possible 18.
Wilson is well aware of the size of the task ahead, but is refusing to get downhearted as his side slip perilousl
y towards the danger zone.
"We lost at home to Mansfield this season so we know just how good they are," he said. "They have secured some new recruits and spent a lot of money.
"But we know we have got to get ourselves out of this situation and I know we can do it.
"We have got to stay positive. If we keep slogging away and doing the right things the tide will turn.
"It is no good feeling sorry for ourselves. We have got to buckle down and keep working.
"It is hard for everyone at the moment – hard for the players, hard for the supporters, hard for me.
"I thought our team put in as good a shift as Salisbury on Saturday, but we got nothing out of it (losing 1-0 to an injury time goal).
"I cannot complain when they put the effort in, it's when they don't put the effort in they get the rollicking.
"We knew our second season in this league would be tough. We also knew it would be a hard task just to stay in the league, so sometimes we have to put things into perspective."
But Wilson believes the best is yet to come from young loan strikers Kayne McLaggon and Benjamin on days when a howling wind is not the dominant factor.
He was also impressed with defender Ollie Rowe who is on dual registration with Eastbourne Town.
All three are expected to be in the squad for today's battle with Jenkins and Dan Smith suspended.
But the good news is that Darren Baker has been back in training after injuring his knee colliding with Danny Brown in training.
And Gary Elphick played for the reserves on Wednesday night after missing out on Saturday with a bout of 'flu. Matt Crabb should also be
fit following an ankle injury.
On the pools it would seem a home banker. But somewhere, sometime, something has to go right for Borough.
TODAY'S MAIN FOOTBALL FIXTURES (3PM):
Blue Square Premier: Mansfield Town v EASTBOURNE BOROUGH.
Ryman Division One South: EASTBOURNE TOWN v Dulwich Hamlet.
Sussex Senior Cup 3rd round: EASTBOURNE UNITED AFC v East Preston.
Sussex County League Division One: HAILSHAM TOWN v Chichester City.
