RAMSBOTTOM begin their FA Vase campaign at NWCL Division One rivals Mossley tomorrow - but manager Mike Kelly would rather be playing a league game.
His side are second from bottom of the first division - and could have gone bottom had Curzon Ashton won in midweek - and they have lost their last three league games.
Kelly is confident that his side can turn it around - but not while they are playing cup games.
"This will be our third cup game in a row after two FA Cup ties against Witton Albion this week but I would rather be playing a league game to be honest.
"I am not overly concerned about our league position but it is not good for the players' confidence. They tend to panic when they see us down there.
"We want to progress as far as we can in the Vase but we also need to get league points."
The Rams lost their FA Cup replay against Witton Albion on Tuesday and have now lost four of their last five.
"We are playing well enough, it's just sometimes we need to dig in a little. We are making mistakes in defence and they are costing us.
"We are creating chances but it is like we have got on a losing run. When you win you get into good habits. We are not far away and in one of these games somebody is going to get a really good hammering. We will turn the corner, I just hope it's sooner rather than later."
Kelly has signed Ged Walsh from Rossendale and he will make his debut tomorrow after being cup-tied last week.
"We have some young players and they tend to panic when things aren't going right," said Kelly. "Ged will provide experience and direction."
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