AFTER cruising along nicely for much of the season Supermarine have suddenly been sucked into the familiar territory of a Southern League relegation scrap.
A disappointing derby defeat at Oxford City last time out leaves the men from Hunts Copse just one point and one place above the Division One West drop zone. They've played more games than many of their rivals too.
Fellow strugglers Bedworth arrive in South Martson tomorrow and manager Mark Collier is under no illusions that Marine will have to rediscover their mid-season form to get out of trouble.
He said: "I will be looking for a massive improvemenet. I've done everything for these players this season all they have to do is turn up on a Saturday and play.
"They need to start showing that they want to play for this club.
"As I said to the lads last week we didn't want to be scrapping for our lives at the end of the season. After the last game I gave them a few home truths.
"In the past 25 points would have been enough to stay up in this division. This season the league's a lot more even.
"I don't think there's much difference between the top and the bottom so it's all very close. Bedworth is a big game. If we win that everything changes at the bottom. That shows you how close it is.
"Bedworth have won their last two and it will be difficult, I don't doubt that.
"But if the right Supermarine turns up we can get a result."
Mark Draycott has played his final game for Marine this season. He is suspended tomorrow prior to his pending return to play in the United States.
That leaves Collier desperately short of firepower, with Steve Davies, Tony Joyce, Adie Adams and Carl Palmer vying to play as makeshift strikers.
Dave Gee, Dave Hunt and Sam Collier are still out but Steve Jenkins is hoping to recover from from a chest infection.
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