FRUSTRATED Roy Rencher insists Stourport Swifts can kiss their hopes of staying up goodbye if they fail to collect a pile of points in the next month.
It is a critical period facing bottom club Swifts, who languish seven points adrift of safety in Southern League Division One West.
They tackle four clubs in the bottom six over the next five league games, beginning with tomorrow's away clash at Beaconsfield SYCOB (3pm).
And Rencher, who is still to taste victory since taking the Walshes Meadow hot-seat in late September, admits the future looks glum unless Swifts quickly turn the corner.
"We must get points in the next three or four games to stay in touch with those sides that are within touching distance," said Rencher.
"Our next few games are all against sides near the bottom and this is a crucial spell for us.
"It would concern me if we came out of the next three games without at least six or seven points. That would bother me. We cannot afford to drift away any more from those four or five sides that are above us.
"If we keep losing, we are going to fall away uncontrollably and that will be a big, big concern."
Rencher added: "However, the spirit is fantastic. I've never been to a football club where everything is going well except for the results.
"Believe it or not, the chairman is happy, the committee is happy and I'm happy with what we are doing. That might sound funny, but it's true.
"It's in our hands to get out of this position. We've got a good enough squad to get results -- I'm convinced of that."
Chris McHale, on a one-month loan from Kidderminster Harriers, continues in defence against Beaconsfield, while midfielders Sam Hawker and Ronnie Sayer are poised for surprise returns.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article