Stevie Wilson says he has never seen an injury crisis like the one he's had to deal with at Ardrossan Winton Rovers this season.
The League One outfit have struggled to live up to their title favourites tag with players falling by the wayside on an almost weekly basis.
Alengthy crocked list peaked at nine players - most summer signings who have barely kicked a ball in anger between them.
Wilson jokes that the treatment room at Winton Park has been so busy that physio Aylee McGill was close to keeling over with the workload.
But it's been no laughing matter on the park, with two wins and four defeats from their first six league matches putting a dent in their ambitions.
Wilson admits the injury situation isn't likely to rapidly improve any time soon but insists his team are still better than results and their sixth-from-bottom position suggest.
Now he's hoping last week's 5-2 home victory against Carluke Rovers can be the springboard to a revival of their fortunes.
"We were excellent against Carluke," he said.
"Our form has been very up and down because of the injuries but we could easily have taken more points out some of the games - it's not as if the performances have been dreadful.
"Individual errors have cost us but we've had to play guys in unfamiliar positions so I'm not going to criticise anyone for that.
"It's frustrating because we rebuilt in the summer by adding some real quality but I've not had the team I want on the park yet and we're still miles away.
"Honestly, it's been the worst run of injuries I've ever encountered. Especially with so many of the new boys being out.
"Our physio could claim overtime she's been that busy. She must have been on the verge of keeling over!"
Rovers face a tricky trip to Port Glasgow this weekend with defenders Fraser Smith (ankle), Davie Wilson, (knee) Martyn Brown (ankle) Paul Young (knee) and utility man Kyle Lochhead (hamstring) all unavailable for selection.
Stuart Hannah and Andy McGregor have only just recovered from thigh and ankle injuries respectively and Wilson admits he may be forced to pitch them into action earlier than he'd like.
It's a far from ideal scenario for a game Wilson expects to be a physical contest.
"I'm expecting it to be a total battle, he added.
"Port will do whatever they can to stop us playing as a lot of teams have tried this season.
"People have had us down as title favourites and that gives teams a lift when they play us. We have to make sure we're ready for that.
"It's up to us to roll up the sleeves and get in their faces because they'll be looking to do the same to us.
"The weather doesn't look like it's going to be great either so we have to be ready for a ding-dong battle.
"I don't think there will be a lot of football played and sometimes it comes down to proper graft and not much else."
