NICK Crittenden believes that one positive result could be all it takes for the Magpies to find their spark, as they head into their crunch clash with Cambridge City at home this afternoon (3pm).

The former Chelsea and Yeovil Town midfielder gave an honest assessment on boss Graham Kemp’s spell in the Avenue hot-seat so far and has called for his team-mates to recapture their form from when the manager first took over.

The 36-year-old told Echosport: “Football is funny because you can have five or six bad games, but as soon as you have one good game you are on top of the world again and it breeds confidence.

“It is important for us to get that spark back that we had, when a new manager comes in you get that little bit extra out of everyone, we had some positive results and went on a little cup run but that has worn off and we need to get that spark back.

“The boys are obviously down but the gaffer is positive and we are looking to turn it all around today.

“The games comes thick and fast and it’s another chance for us to put things right.”

Plagued by injuries over the past few weeks, Kemp has had no other option than to thrust younger members of the county town squad into his starting XI, and Crittenden has been keen to offer them up some advice.

“We have a small squad and we have relied on young lads that are still gaining experience,” he added “I like to help the young lads out and I always say you can go through three or four bad games. If you want a career in football there are always ups and downs, you are very lucky if you stay at one club that is successful for your whole career.

“That is something you have to get to grips with and the young lads can’t let their heads drop, you just have to get on with it, trust your own ability that sooner or later things will go right, and you will bounce back.

“They are feeling the pressure a bit and the fans’ anger is just part of football, if you want to go on and progress to a better standard they are the sort of things you have to cope with.”