The New Saints boss Scott Ruscoe has admitted he is aware of the pressure he is under after another defeat on the road with Friday night's loss to Aberystwyth Town.

Saints lie third in the table after the defeat, with just one point gained in their last two clashes against Newtown and Aber – games Ruscoe insists his side should be winning comfortably.

But with a history of long unbeaten runs at the club, Ruscoe is backing his stars to overcome their confidence issues and get back to working hard for their results.

"The owner [Mike Harris] is an ambitious man and we know the absolute minimum for us to win the league," he said.

"I feel, and have always felt, this squad is more than able to win the league. If you look at how many games we lost last year, which is four, there’s no reason why this squad can’t go 15-20 games unbeaten.

"But it’s not a major concern right now. It would be if we weren’t picking up any points at all but we are. Players lose confidence but if they remember who they are and work harder, things will go for us which they aren’t at the minute.

"We’re expected to win our league and if we don’t, people enjoy seeing that and want others to win.

"All that comes with being at TNS and if you don’t win the league then you’re in the position of where the chairman might make the decision to get someone in who will.

"I have to make sure the players are in top fitness, their confidence levels are high and we get back to beating teams comfortably."

Ruscoe admitted he may look at striking options in January to boost his options with Greg Draper and Dean Ebbe both coming to the end of their deals, but insisted missed chances are part of a team effort, not individuals.