CHIPPENHAM Town manager Mark Collier has called for everyone at the club to come together after a poor run of results that sees the Bluebirds languishing near the relegation zone in National League South.

Following a 3-2 defeat to Tonbridge Angels on Saturday and then a 2-2 draw at home to Hemel Hempstead in midweek, Chippenham extended their winless run in the league to five.

That pales in comparison to the one win in 12 league games the Bluebirds have picked up since beating Concord Rangers 1-0 nearly three months ago.

Though Chippenham’s form is far from ideal, Collier reasoned his team are often playing well enough to take some kind of reward from their games – a belief that is backed up by the fact the Bluebirds have only lost three of those dozen games by more than one goal.

Collier is therefore optimistic his side’s form will turn around sooner rather than later, but only if everyone is pulling in the same direction.

He said: “I’m fully aware that a couple of wins change everything, but we have to find a way to get those wins.

“The one thing we have to do as a club is stay positive, we have to try and stay on the front foot.

“The important thing to remember is that we’re not relegated, we’re not down and we’re not in the relegation zone.

“Are we in choppy waters? We are, but it’s nothing we can’t get ourselves out of so long as we stick together as a group.

“That means the players, the supporters, the chairman and everybody else that goes with the club.

“If we do that, I have no doubts that we will be fine.”

Although Chippenham are just a point above the dotted line in 18th, the Chippenham boss explained that with 17 games to play, there is no reason why the club cannot move itself into a comfortable mid-table position now that the fixture list has quietened down somewhat.

Collier is also anxious to see the suspended Ryan Case and the handful of other injured played return sooner rather than later as his fragile squad tries to make the best of a sticky situation.

Collier said: “There’s no doubt we’re in a difficult spot.

“However, we’re nowhere near the end of the season and there are still points to play for.

“We’ll be fighting for every single point from now until the end of the season.

“I understand people aren’t happy about the situation we’re in – and rightfully so – but we’ve lost three games against the top five teams over Christmas.

“And we’re limited by who we can pick currently due to injuries and suspensions, so that puts you back.

“We need to try and make sure we have the collective spirit to come out the other side of this.”

Chippenham return to action on Saturday when travelling to Dulwich Hamlet.