Rod McDonald tells AFC Telford to get a grip

The Bucks squad visit fourth-placed FC Halifax Town tomorrow sitting at the foot of the Conference Premier table.

Boss Liam Watson read the riot act at the Impact Arena on Tuesday night after a poor performance, which he labelled as "gutless", saw them slip to a 3-2 defeat at fellow strugglers Alfreton.

McDonald said. "At the end of the day he's given a lot of people chances. It feels like we're letting him down a bit really.

"It's not just down to the manager; it's down to us when we're out there. He can give you all the shape and tactics, all you want, but it's down to us on the pitch.

"We've just got to stay fighting. We have to believe that we'll win a game, and then we could go on and win a few more. We have got the quality.

"It's just that when we do concede – everyone, the players and the fans, thinks 'oh no, we're going to lose again'.

"We're not confident enough at the moment.

"As players we have to stay mentally focused and switched on for the full 90 minutes.

"Everyone's got to get around each other and believe in each other."

McDonald suffered a bruised hip in last Saturday's 2-2 draw against high-flying Barnet, an improved performance that gave fans hope ahead of Tuesday night's disappointment.

The midweek game at Alfreton came too quickly for the former Stoke academy youngster, who had swelling on his hip, but he is available for tomorrow.

Halifax have six wins and a draw from their home fixtures so far this season.

The statistics look ominous for the winless Bucks, but McDonald said: "Barnet hadn't conceded a goal away from home until we played them.

"Anything is possible and we should go there going for the win – like we should every game.

"Halifax are solid at the back, and they like to pinch a goal or two. You know what you're going to get with them.

"We shouldn't be going there to settle; we need to keep a clean sheet and go for the win.

"We've got to defend well as a team, not just a back four. We've conceded quite a few goals from 30 yards or so.

"All over we've got to stay switched on, come together as a team more."

McDonald was involved in a struggling Hereford United team last season, which ultimately survived relegation from the Conference Premier before being expelled due to financial issues.

"I have experience of playing in the Conference and hopefully I can use that to help some of the lads out if they need it," the defender said.

"What happened at Hereford – around January time we were only about four points from the play-offs.

"Then, with the financial issues, we suddenly just couldn't win a game. We were all over the place. No-one knew what was going to happen.

"I learned more in that last three or four months than I probably will in my whole career."

"I have experience but the biggest thing, more importantly, is self-belief."