Lincoln City manager Chris Moyses has said his side’s recent scoring record is unacceptable as they prepare to travel to Dover on Saturday.
The Imps have scored just one goal in six matches, coinciding with five defeats out of six, a run that has seen them fall away from the play-off places.
“They are numbers which are shocking and not acceptable,” said Moyses.
“Not scoring goals has been a major worry to me. I think we scored 19 in nine when we first took over but that has now dried up.
“The players have got nervous and stopped expressing themselves to the level that they were and it is our job now to free them up again.”
As a result, Moyses says he has been working on different tactics in training as they look to end the run of three games without a goal.
“We’ve worked on a different shape this week, trying to get more forward movement and more forward passes to get ourselves a goal.”
Moyses also insists a deal for a left-sided attacking midfielder may be close in the offing.
“I’ve been trying to get a ‘leftie’ in all season,” said Moyses. “One that is right for us. Not an 18-year-old – I want someone who has got a bit of experience who can balance us up and be a bit more dynamic down that side.
“I’ve agreed it with a club. The player has just got to be spoken to and then if it all comes apart it should be done later today.”
One player who has left the club is Charlee Adams and Moyses says
“I have got massive time for Charlee,” said Moyses. “I think he’s a great lad and he’s done really good for us.
“But at the end of the day, he is playing a lot of football with playing Under 21 games them (Birmingham) as well so it was probably interest of Charlee that he took stoke of his career and built his hunger back up again because I think that was slightly waning.”
Adams’ departure may pave the way for a return for Arnaud Mendy in midfield and Moyses says that may be important to deal with the physical threat of Dover.
“We watched them on Tuesday night down at Aldershot and to be fair Aldershot played very well against them and came out winning 3-1.”
“They’re a big side, quite direct so we are anticipating a physical battle on a not particularly good pitch.”
Defender Tom Miller is also available after missing last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Woking as a result of a migraine and sickness problem.