TOMMY SAUNDERS believes his presence at Supermarine has added an unwelcome fear factor.

Saunders has seen his new team lose three out of four Western Division fixtures since taking charge, with disappointing 1-0 defeats at home to Ilkeston and at lowly Shepshed in the past seven days.

Marine have fallen from the top eight to 15th in the table and Saunders' intimidating reputation has prompted some tense performances from some of his players.

Rock-bottom Cinderford visit Hunts Copse tomorrow and Saunders has asked his troops to 'play without fear' in a bid to stem the club's slide down the Western Division table.

He said: "I think the players feel under pressure playing for a new manager and they seem to be frightened of making a mistake.

"They have got to forget about that and start playing without fear.

"I have every intention of sticking by these players and I hope they do the same to me.

"I've been delighted with the response of some of the players since I arrived but they have to start showing that they can gel as a team.

"I've been disappointed with the last couple of results.

"On Tuesday at Shepshed we were clearly the better side and missed lots of chances before conceding a sloppy goal with 10 minutes to go.

"We should have got at least a point."

The visit of Cinderford reunited Saunders with one of his former Chippenham proteges Lee Collier who played at Wembley for the Bluebirds in the 2000 FA Vase final.

Collier has recently switched from Merthyr Tydfil and will give struggling Cinderford extra quality in midfield.

The Forest of Dean side found themselves bottom of the table for the first time following Shepshed's midweek win over Marine but they continued to have a reputation as a tough side to break down.

Saunders said: "Cinderford are bottom, but a bit like Shepshed, nobody ever hammers them and they can be difficult to beat.

"We're not under pressure to get a result, we're still looking to build for next season."

Saunders will be boosted by the return of two key players to fitness.

Former Swindon Town youngsters Nathan Edwards (hamstring) and Alan Young (ankle) are both set for a recall after picking up injuries in last Saturday's Ilkeston defeat.

DR MARTENS LEAGUE

Premier Division: Chelmsford City v Stafford Rangers; Chippenham Tn v Newport County; Eastbourne Borough v Dorchester Tn; Granthan Tn v Havant & Waterlooville; Hednesford Tn v Dover Athletic; Hinckley Utd v Cambridge City; Merthyr Tydfil v Crawley Tn; Nuneaton Borough v Bath City; Stafford Rangers v Welling Utd; Weston Super Mare v Moor Green; Weymouth v Worcester City.

Western Division: Cirencester Tn v Yate Tn; Gloucester City v Clevedon Tn; Ilkeston Tn v Bromsgrove Rovers; Mangotsfield Utd v Gresley Rovers; Shepshed Dynamo v Halesowen Tn; Solihull Borough v Redditch Utd; Stourport Swifts v Sutton Coldfield Tn; Swindon Supermarine v Cinderford Tn; Taunton Tn v Bedworth Utd; Team Bath v Rugby Utd.