GJ SINGH pulled no punches in stating his Barnt Green Spartak side are in the midst of a relegation battle.
The Lions currently sit second-from-bottom in the Midland League Division Two table after 11 games with just one win to their name.
And with a trip to basement boys and winless Pelsall Villa on December 2, Singh stressed the importance of not dropping points as Spartak look to retain their Step Seven status.
Although Singh had aspirations of challenging higher up the table, he admitted battling it out at the wrong end gives the club something to play for, rather than lingering in mid-table.
“In a strange way, I would rather be fighting for survival than cruising along with nothing to play for,” he said.
“When you are in that kind of position a win gives you a real buzz, a sense of achievement.
“Those kind of wins mean so much more and give you more emotion.
“I do not want to be in a relegation battle but it is what it is and we have to start winning games and I am confident that two or three wins will shoot us right up the table.
“I still believe our performances are much better than our league position suggests and that gives me some hope because if we keep playing to a certain standard we will get the results.
“Pelsall, who are a resurgent side having joined up with Walsall Wood Reserves, are the only side below us now and it is important we do not drop points.”
Before then, Spartak have a Birmingham Vase second round tie against Wake Green Amateurs tomorrow (Saturday).
Amateurs are only a few streets away from the Lions’ current home at Highgate United’s The Coppice Ground.
However, Singh admitted this would be a step into the unknown for Spartak.
“In all my years being here I have never come across Wake Green,” he said.
“It is going to be something new for myself but I have done my research and I am aware they have won the Birmingham AFA league the last two years so it will be a tough game for us.
“We want to stay in the cups as long as possible because realistically that is our only chance of getting some success – there are no ifs and buts about it.”
Spartak head into their county cup clash on the back of Saturday’s 4-2 home defeat to Knowle in the Les James Challenge Cup.
After conceding two goals in the space of two minutes early doors, Sean Keeley pulled one back in the 39th minute as the Lions went into the break 2-1 down.
But by the 65th minute, the hosts found themselves 4-1 down behind before Dominic Strevens bagged a consolation late on.
“It was a disappointing result because three of the four goals came from corners,” said a frustrated Singh.
“At 2-1 down we had a great chance to level with a one-on-one but we did not take it and it proved costly.”
