GRANT Joshua stressed everyone at Rugby Town must ‘stay together’ following a difficult run of results.
Valley saw their weekend fixture against Belper Town postponed due to a frozen pitch.
A rearranged date for the Northern Premier League Midlands fixture will be confirmed in due course.
However, Rugby have taken just four points from their last nine league games.
The results leave Valley 17th in the NPL Midlands table, just two points clear of the relegation zone.
And with 17 games left to play this season, Joshua admits his side must rediscover their confidence to turn their fortunes around.
Joshua said: “I said when I took over there would be specific times when results wouldn’t be good enough.
“When that comes and the tree starts to shake, it’s critical that the club stays together – the staff, players and fans alike.
“There’s still no excuse for some of the performances of late, but there will be no panic from me, as I know what this set of players are capable of.
“This squad has an abundance of talent and they haven’t suddenly become bad players, but if you could bottle one thing in football, it would be confidence – and that’s what we’re lacking at the moment.
“To get it back, you have to double down on the basics, not look too far ahead and rebuild mental fortitude one training session at a time.”
Rugby face struggling Boldmere St Michaels this weekend with Valley’s weekend opponents currently in the relegation zone.
Town claimed a memorable 3-0 win at Boldmere’s Amber Arena in 2023 to clinch survival on the final day of the campaign.
However, a 4-0 defeat at the same ground last season proved then manager Carl Adams’ last game in charge of the club.
Since Rugby’s defeat at Shepshed Dynamo on New Year’s Day, boss Joshua has added young goalkeeper Xander Grieves to his squad.
The 16-year-old joins on a work experience loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
And forward Kobi Bivens has also joined Valley following impressive spells with Sileby Rangers and Irchester.
The 24-year-old has scored 44 goals in 53 games over the last 18 months representing both clubs.
Rugby travel to Boldmere on Saturday, January 17 with kick-off at 3pm at the Amber Arena.
