Mark Cooper eyes loan captures for AFC Telford
New AFC Telford United manager Mark Cooper is convinced there is enough spirit within the squad to beat the drop after taking the reins for his first match in charge.
But Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Cambridge United left him with doubts as to whether there is enough quality in attack and defence to stay up.
And the interim Bucks chief has vowed to strengthen before the team take to the field next weekend at league leaders Grimsby Town.
Saturday's defeat stretched Telford's winless run in the league to 17 games and leaves them two points adrift of safety in the relegation zone.
Asked if, based on what he had seen since his arrival on Thursday, he could keep the Bucks up, Cooper said: "In terms of spirit and effort yes.
"In terms of having that quality to defend our goal under pressure and scoring when they are putting us under pressure, I am not so sure.
"I cannot question the players' efforts. I thought they were fantastic and that gets them some brownie points with the fans, but it gets us no points."
Cooper's attention will now turn to trying to bring in players when the loan window re-opens on Thursday.
But he said. "There is no point bringing somebody in that is no better than what we have got.
"If we do bring any in we have got to make sure they hit the ground running and they improve the group that we have already got.
"If the right player becomes available then we will try try to bring one or two in, but we will definitely strengthen for Saturday."
Cooper was due to speak to Fleetwood Town midfielder Gerard Kinsella, who played the last game of his one-month loan spell for Telford on Saturday, about the possibility of extending the deal further.
He added: "I'm going to find out whether we have got enough money if we keep Gerard to bring somebody else in so it will come down to finance."
Meanwhile, Bucks midfielder Steven Leslie, who missed the Cambridge game with a minor groin injury, is expected to be in contention for next weekend's game at Grimsby.
