ONE win and nine points from the last 11 matches is hardly the sort of form to lead Evesham supporters to believe that their side can avoid relegation, writes Mervyn Collins.

However, the Robins have managed to avoid defeat in seven of those games and must do the same on Saturday at Gloucester to avoid a swift return to Division One West.

The Tigers, now managed by Tim Harris who led guided Merthyr Tydfil to victory at Common Road in December, have amassed just one point in their past 11 outings and currently sit next to bottom a point adrift of Dave Busst's side.

Bottom of the pile Aylesbury and fourth bottom Chesham have the worst recent record of the seven clubs involved in the relegation dogfight, having taken just five points from their past 12 and 11 matches respectively.

Cheshunt, 2-0 winners at Cirencester last weekend, currently occupy the third relegation place having claimed eight points from 11 games, while Cirencester are two points and one place better off than Evesham after taking 11 points from their past 11 matches.

Northwood, who looked doomed two months ago, have rocketed up the table having taken 19 points from ten games and, if they carry on that form, then it could be a case of six from three for the drop.

Busst, who was unavailable this week, is expected to bring in Leon Blake as cover for the suspended Steve Duncan and, according to assistant Paul West, there could other changes.

"I am sure that Dave will be looking to freshen things up," West declared. "We looked jaded last Saturday and it was a lacklustre display but you can't forget the excellent efforts of the players in the previous three away matches."

Duncan starts a four-match ban this weekend, while Lee Knight sits out the first of a five-match suspension. And, the club's sorry disciplinary record has prompted a call for the manager to visit FA headquarters at Soho Square next week.

West sent out a clear warning to the players ahead of a crucial couple of matches. "They've all experienced good times but now is the time to earn their money and produce the qualities we know that they possess in the bad times.

"Every game's a pressure cooker. Some of them can handle that and some can't but it's imperative that we stick together and give it our best shot."

Richard Ball is another walking the disciplinary tightrope and another caution will rule the top scorer out of two matches.

That will give Busst even more to ponder ahead of this weekend's puzzle as to whether to partner Ball with John Williams or Shane Benjamin.

Another option should Ball err again is to recall Jermaine Cla-rke from his loan spell at Redd-itch but that appears set to cause problems.

"The original agreement was made with Rob Brown but the-re's been no real communication since he left the club," West revealed.

"Jermaine is contracted to Evesham but I understand that he more than happy at Redditch and not too happy about coming back. However, if we felt that he was going to come back and do the business then we would bring him back. But, when he came back for two games over Chris-tmas he was the same "old" Jermaine."

West admitted that he hoped the situation would be sorted within the next week.