Stuart Watkiss will demand a positive response to the worst performance of a team under his management by warning relegation scrappers Kidderminster Harriers that they cannot afford another "bad day at the office".
Watkiss held a clear-theair meeting with the players after the woeful defeat to Wycombe Wanderers but says he has drawn a line under a "simply unacceptable" display. But he says they need to bounce back in Saturday's home fixture with Bury.
Watkiss said: "I've had a chat with the players and they know my feelings. But now everything is focused on Saturday. That's all we can look at. We need to win on Saturday so we are going to have to be positive in our attitude and approach.
"The game at Wycombe was thoroughly, thoroughly disappointing. We could have lost by more but the annoying thing was that the three goals they scored were gifts from our mistakes."
With Rushden & Diamonds claiming a surprise win over Yeovil Town, second-frombottom Harriers slipped five points - effectively six because of the goal difference - from Diamonds and safety.
Harriers have five mates to rescue their League status but Watkiss is not about to surrender, saying: "I'm not going to throw the towel in. We know it is going to be difficult - if we have one more bad day coinciding with Rushden having a good day then we are looking down the barrel of a gun.
"But if we win next week and they lose then the gap is back to two points and it's an entirely different matter."
Harriers will include Blair Sturrock, Gary Birch, Simon Russell in the reserves for tonight's Central Conference Cup tie with Stafford Rangers.
