ROY EVANS has told his players to take a long hard look at themselves if they want to avoid an unpleasant scrap for survival.
Town's director of football was furious after last night's 4-0 thrashing at Queens Park Rangers and challenged his under-achievers to halt their slide.
Evans kept his players locked in for a lengthy inquest after a shocking performance at Loftus Road and made it very clear that further such shows would not be tolerated.
He said: "At the end of the day these players are professionals.
"They have to get their chins up and they know they can do better.
"I have no doubt these lads have the ability but it is about time they started taking responsibility or we are going to end up in a situation where we are starting to fight for our lives if we're not careful.
"We've been in a nice position with regard to the league but we're started to let that slip in the last four or five games.
"But two wins would put us back in a decent position. But we have to go out and make those two wins happen."
The on-going uncertainty off the pitch means Evans cannot go into the transfer market to bring in fresh blood.
He accepts this is the reality but that doesn't make it any less frustrating.
Evans said: "You can try and analyse why you lack consistency.
"What I do know is that I can't make big changes.
"And that remains a problem. Until we can get things sorted out where we are able to bring in new players, then the present situation will remain."
Evans was due to hold a Loftus Road post-mortem today to assess just what went wrong before getting on with the task of lifting his side ahead of Saturday's home clash with top-of-the-table Brighton and Hove Albion.
He said: "We'll talk about it but we won't dwell on it for too long.
Player-coach Razor Ruddock said all the players realised they had let themselves down but were grateful for a swift opportunity to put things right.
"We have to keep positive and look to put the QPR result right."
Last night's thrashing in west London leaves Town in 16th place in Division Two, with only one win from their last six games.
Town have announced ticket prices for the FA Cup tie with Hereford United on December 8.
Prices are as follows: £10 (adults), £5 (concessions) and £3 juniors.
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