BLUES’ chief Gary Bailey is backing his players to battle through their recent dip in form.

The island outfit, who have only won once in their last five games in all competitions, go into a clash with Bournemouth Poppies at Victoria Park tomorrow (3pm).

The Grove Corner boss admitted his team were well below par in their 1-1 draw with Whitchurch last weekend, and is looking to see a positive reaction when they make the trip to 15th-placed Poppies.

“They are honest lads and they know when they have underperformed,” Bailey told Echosport.

“I think there was a reasonably positive reaction in the dressing room after (Whitchurch), we had a few words about it and a few of the senior players piped up and said their bit, which is great.

“It’s down to all of us to work hard, get our sleeves rolled up and work through this little blip.”

Poppies are the first of three tests for Bailey’s side before Christmas. They host Team Solent in the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup on Tuesday before visiting Andover Town on Saturday, December 17.

“I think it’s three crucial games between now and Christmas that could define our season,” he added.

“If we get positive results out of all of them it sets us up well going into the second half of the season.

“If we don’t get positive results, I am not saying the second part of the season will be bleak but we will be out of all the cup competitions and playing catch up for the top spots in the league as well.

“I think these next three games are absolutely paramount to our season really.”

Commenting on Poppies, who he watched at Hamworthy United a couple of weeks ago. The Blues’ boss added: “They get on the ball, try and play and have pace up front.

“They will be a serious test, especially on their own patch.”

Portland’s Ryan McKechnie is set to return following a suspension and Bailey is hoping to have Alex Godfrey back following illness.

Alex Halloran is still out with a hairline fracture to his ankle and Tom Richardson is unavailable. The Blues will also be monitoring Tom Bearwish, who is nursing a knee problem.