Mediocrity has come as a shock to Poole, says assistant Callum Brooks

Tom Killick's men are battling to retain National South status in their second straight season in the division, sitting four points from safety with 11 games left.

Brooks told the Daily Echo: “We are there to be shot at. This club has always been a winning club and that is credit to what Tommy has done over the 14 years he has been here.

“This losing period has come as a shock and it has not been accepted. It’s not known for Poole to lose and there are youngsters who haven’t ever seen Poole in a bad spell.

“At other local clubs, being mediocre has been accepted over the years.

“It’s the first time we have gone through it but what people have to understand is it’s the same manager who has won all the medals and taken the club to its highest point.

“It’s the first bad season in Tommy’s reign and I hope we can find enough so we don’t have to pay the price.”

Killick has overseen more than 700 matches since taking over at Poole in 2004, with Brooks stepping up to the assistant role during the 2015-16 season.

Poole saw their weekend fixture at home to Hampton & Richmond postponed due to the adverse weather conditions which swept across the country at the end of last week.

Dolphins are set to host rivals Wimborne Town in the semi-final of the Dorset Senior Cup on Tuesday, with a trip to table-topping Dartford to follow on Saturday.

“The message from me is we need a monumental effort of everyone chipping in and doing their bit,” added Brooks.

“Every game is vital and to get out of trouble is going to take a massive effort. We really need people to do their jobs well.

“We need people to win headers, outwork the opposition, make tackles, keep the ball and take their chances.

“It’s a league where, if you have three or four players not quite on it, you aren’t going to walk away with victory tucked under your arm – it’s too difficult for that.

“Unless everyone pulls together and is at the top of their game, it’s looking difficult.”