PETER JACKSON today confessed he's "desperate for a win" to start lifting the gloom around Town's crumbling campaign.
Jackson's men have won only once in three months at the Galpharm (against Carlisle) and have slumped to 17th in League I on the back of seven matches without a win.
He has already labelled Saturday's visit of Northampton a "must-win game" - not only to help stave off growing relegation fears but to give the Town faithful some overdue cheer.
Jackson today reported striker Pawel Abbott has stepped up his training and fellow frontman John McAliskey is back with the senior squad after a week of illness.
"Certain sections of our crowd are getting impatient and that's why Saturday is such a massive game for us as a squad and a club," said Jackson today.
"We are desperate for a win for our own fans here because one win in three months speaks for itself.
"If our home form had been half decent then we would be looking at the top six, so it would obviously mean a lot to put three points on the board against Northampton."
Jackson is keen to bring in a couple of fresh faces during the January transfer window but wants to be nearer the play-off placings than relegation zone come New Year.
"At the moment we need hard graft, a little bit of good luck and more belief than we are showing," added the manager.
"The players know my feelings about the defeat at Leyton Orient, but it's gone now. The dividing line between success and failure is very small and you can't legislate for a miss like Mark Hudson's or Boothy's header being cleared off the line.
"I was pleased with how we kept going with 10 men and I'll be involving all the squad this week as we look to improve and, most importantly, get the right result for our fans."
At least two changes are forced because of suspensions to Martin McIntosh and Chris Brandon, but it's hoped Jon Worthington will be fit (groin).
Tickets (3,023) are now on sale to season-ticket holders and fan groups for the New Year trip to Doncaster. They go on general sale on December 18 priced £18 adults, £12 Under 16s, students and OAPs. £5 Under 11s.
