ROD Brown believes his Stourport Swifts side still haven’t got the start of season defeat to Kirby Muxloe out of their system yet.

Brown points to the 4-0 defeat they suffered that day and claimed: “It’s though we haven’t recovered from it yet.

“We went into that game with a great deal of confidence following a good pre season, but we’ve spluttered ever since.

“It’s as though we’re not firing properly and there are lots of reasons why, but I can’t put my finger on one.

“We’ve been lightweight up front as I haven’t been able to play John Griffin and Lewis Pountney together.

“We’re trying to get John fit by playing matches while Lewis is expected to start light training next week.

“As a result, I’ve had to change the system we play and it hasn’t settled.

“Remember Lewis and John were second and third highest goalscorers in the Midland Alliance last season. Players like that are not easy to replace”.

Brown will bid to bring fresh faces in this week, including a striker following Swifts FA Cup replay exit at Old Wulfrunians.

Reduced to 10 men in the second when Jamie Hyde was sent off, Swifts responded by taking the lead through Calvin Dinsley.

But Brown bemoaned: ““It’s really disappointing, but we just can’t seem to get over the line at the moment”

Swifts travel to Loughborough University on Saturday for a Midland Alliance match.