Robinson seeks turnaround after 'horrific' run

Salford City manager Karl Robinson has challenged his squad to use the pain of a winless February as fuel for an immediate promotion revival after five straight defeats in all competitions dumped the Ammies out of the League Two play-off positions.

Tuesday night’s 2-1 home loss to Shrewsbury extended the club’s slump and left the dressing-room “on the floor”, according to Robinson, who addressed his players in the aftermath of the latest setback.

“They are a bit low,” the 43-year-old told BBC Radio Manchester. “People may see that as a weakness but I see it as a positive. This hurts them. I’ve just looked them in the eyes and they are on the floor.

“But this is why I am here. I am here to galvanise, to gee up and to move us forward and I can do that.”

Robinson, who earlier this season reached the milestone of 800 EFL matches as a manager, insists experience has taught him that adversity is part of any successful campaign.

“I’ve gone through worse moments than this. The one thing time in this industry gives you is the knowledge that nothing comes easy. Everything you do comes at a cost and we are just going to have to work harder and harder and harder.”

Saturday’s trip to Colchester represents the first opportunity to halt the slide, and Robinson is adamant his squad possess both the character and quality to launch a decisive winning streak.

“Every team goes through horrific moments. You have to go through them. That’s why winning is so amazing because you have to go through difficult moments,” he said.

“I’ve got a team of lads who truly care. I’ve got a team of lads who are incredibly talented. That team will turn it around. That team is good enough to go on a run of ten games. I’m 100 per cent confident of that.”