Paul McAreavey insists Ballymena United's players are "hurting more than anyone" following the club's difficult start to the season.
The Braidmen, who finished runners-up to champions Linfield in April, lie seventh in the table following Saturday's defeat to Cliftonville.
The Sky Blues ' lengthy injury list has contributed to their poor run of form, and now poses serious questions over their ambitions to finish in the top six.
"It has been a really tough start," Ballymena head scout McAreavey said.
"From last season and doing so well against Linfield. We had a decent European run as well, and qualified through the first round of games.
"We got a tough draw in Malmo in the next round and they gave us a bit of a pasting."
He added: "Our guys had three weeks off for their summer holidays, and then we were back at it. And it takes its toll.
"Our guys have to work all week, then train with us and then fly around Europe and come back to -pre-season."
At training last week Ballymena had 13 players on the treatment table.
McAreavey has described the current injury crisis as "absolutely ridiculous".
"I have never seen anything like it," he said ahead of Tuesday night's Co Antrim Shield semi-final against Harland and Wolff Welders.
"An example is James Knowles coming back, and he has now done his hamstring. We have been holding back with James and he injured himself doing a run on his own.
"You can't put a team together because you don't know what you have. We had 13 players out at last week's training."
It has been a frustrating campaign so far for Ballymena's fans, but McAreavey insists the players share the pain of the supporters in the stands.
"As soon as you have a bad turn there will be some fans who get nervous, and that's understandable," he added.
"They work all week and they want to see the team do well and win. They are proud of their club and they are hurting.
"But we are hurting, too. Nobody is hurting more than us, and the players.
"I am lying in bed at night wondering what we can do as a backroom staff. These things play on your mind.
"The players have been successful over the past couple of years and now they are in sticky patch.
"But there is only one way through it and that's hard work."
McAreavey has also backed Sky Blues boss David Jeffrey to turn the club's fortunes around.
"Davy is the main man and has been superb, too. He has shown how class he is with the pressure he is under. He tries to help everyone," McAreavey added.
"Nobody will speak about his cubs. He takes it so personal, and that's why he's so good and why he is the best.
"It shows how much he cares and how much of a winner he is, and he will turn things around."
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