LEE Duckworth has said Winsford United’s players have run out of chances to persuade him that they deserve a place in the team.

To prove it, he’s recruited new ones.

Blues announced on Wednesday they had completing the signing of four men, including a return for defensive midfielder Kyle McGonigle.

After successive defeats last weekend, during which Blues failed to score a single goal, the manager told the Guardian he had been prompted to act.

He said: “I can’t let people become used to losing.

“We’ve kept faith with those lads that started the season, but a dozen or so games is long enough for me to make a decision.”

Winsford occupy a position in the table’s bottom two following a 2-0 defeat at home to Ashton Athletic on Monday.

They have won only one of their dozen matches in the North West Counties League’s top-flight to date, their worst start to a season since the turn of the century.

Duckworth admitted he can’t allow Blues to be cut adrift.

He said: “We were terrible against Charnock Richard [last Saturday].

“There was an improvement in the next game, which we started strongly before one of their lads sticks a worldie into the top corner.

“I think we had six forwards on the field when they scored their second goal because we had to go for it.”

Along with McGonigle, Joe Thompson and Callum Harris have joined on dual-registration terms from Altrincham.

Full-back Callum Bullock completes the list, and follows the arrival of Dahrius Waldron at the end of last week.

All five are eligible to feature in this weekend’s FA Vase encounter with Sporting Khalsa.

Duckworth hopes they can deliver a jolt to a side that has saved its best performances for that competition following impressive wins against Liversedge and Worksop Town in previous rounds.

He added: “I’m unsure why that is, perhaps some of our lads think there are Wembley-bound!

“That’s great, but I’d like us to sort out our league position at the same time.

“Perhaps there is less pressure on us in the cup, and we’ve been able to relax a bit.”

A victory against in-form hosts, who have won eight successive matches in all competitions and sit fourth in the Midlands League Premier Division, would be a boost for Winsford’s supporters.

They have continued to turn out in numbers at Barton Stadium, with close to 200 watching last Saturday’s defeat.

“The fans have stuck with the players – they’ve been superb,” added Duckworth.

“It’s time the lads give something back to them.”