Irvine Meadow striker Paul Maxwell is praying that three points against Glenafton on Saturday will be enough to snap the club out of its malaise.
The 31-year-old admits that morale in the Medda dressing room could not get much lower following the axing of management duo Stevie Rankin and Murdie MacKinnon just before Christmas.
But he believes that his teammates are only one good result away from turning around their season.
And he reckons there is no better time to wipe the slate clean than the weekend’s visit of Glens in what will be both sides’ first game of the new year.
He said: “This is Irvine Meadow’s biggest game in 12 months. Forget the fact we’ve reached cup semi-finals in that time. This is much more important.
“We need to start winning games now and, although the boys are still in shock at what’s happened, we must forget about that on Saturday and go out and get the job done.
“As players we know we haven’t been anywhere near good enough and we owe it to the fans to give them a performance and get 2016 off to a good start.”
Maxwell’s short tenure as interim boss came to an end with the appointment of David Greig on Tuesday night and he reckons an end to speculation over the role can only be a good thing.
“I know from taking training over the last week how concerned the boys have been about the whole situation,” he said.
“The mood has been a bit downbeat but I took the players to one side and reminded them that a year ago we were undefeated and sitting at the top of the league. It’s the complete opposite this year but there’s still time to change that.”
Meadow go into the crunch clash with Glens on the back of a 2-1 midweek friendly defeat to Renfrew.
Maxwell said: “The first half was 100mph stuff and the players were screaming at each other out of sheer frustration. I think it was something they needed to get out their system because we were much better in the second half and played the kind of football I know we are capable of.”
He was also quick to play down rumours that unrest could lead to some players asking for a move away from Meadow Park.
He said: “It’s an uncertain time. I know myself that the thought I might have to look elsewhere crossed my mind.
“But I love Irvine Meadow and I’m proud to play for the club. The fans have always been great to me and I want to play my football here.”
