NATHAN Rudge says that he has every faith that he’ll lift Chippenham Town from their slump in form and get the Bluebirds back to winning ways.

Chippenham conceded an injury-time goal as they were beaten 3-2 by Redditch United last weekend and have gone eleven matches without a win in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division.

Rudge says that he doesn’t mind taking criticism for the Bluebirds’ recent poor performances but has called on fans to do their part by getting behind his team as they endure a difficult period.

“It wasn’t a good performance at all on Saturday – we were poor and leading 2-1 with ten minutes to go, we should have gone on to win the game,” said the Chippenham chief, who came off midway through Saturday’s clash with Redditch with a calf injury.

“I think that we’ve conceded late goals six or seven times this season and it’s getting to a stage where I think we’re worried about it happening every time we get towards the end of games.

“I’ve got broad shoulders and I can take the criticism that comes my way. I expect it because we haven’t been playing well.

“I think that I’ve been called clueless though and if clueless is working your nuts off to try and turn things around at this football club then I guess that’s right.

"I believe in myself and I know that I'll turn this around.

“We’re doing everything that we can and we desperately need a win at the moment.

“What we also need is everyone pushing in the same direction. From where I was standing on Saturday it looked like we had people abusing me and the players.

“When you’re in the opposition side, you can sense that and it drives you on so it’s not what we need at the moment.

“We need people to get behind their team more than ever.”

Adie Harris and Ashley Williams remain suspended for this weekend’s vital trip to Bedworth United while Dean Griffiths and Scott Lye also picked up knocks on Saturday.

Iain Harvey is also expected to be missing.

MORE CHIPPENHAM TOWN NEWS IN THIS THURSDAY’S GAZETTE AND HERALD