BRADFORD boss John Deacey says the blame for his side’s poor run in Vanarama Conference North should be laid fairly and squarely on his shoulders.

Avenue are looking to halt a poor run of form after five consecutive defeats, the latest being a 5-0 trouncing at home, when they host Brackley Town tomorrow.

The fixture would have been seen last season as a clash between two of the play-off rivals but right now it is very much a battle of the strugglers.

Before this season, both clubs were being tipped as promotion contenders but Avenue are 17th in the table, with Brackley second from bottom.

The Northants outfit have played two fewer games than Avenue but the home side are into double figures in terms of fixtures played, and almost a quarter of their season has gone.

Deacey said: “The buck stops with me. I have to carry the can for the results we’ve been getting, and that’s only right. We have to be positive and regroup but I take the blame because I pick the team and I tell them what to do.

“Its easy when things are going well and everything is on the up but it tests you more as a person and a character when things are going badly. But I won’t hide, I won’t make excuses – we have to get up and go again.”

Avenue had been flying after winning three of their first five league games but since beating basement outfit Hyde in their last home game of August, they have not even gained a single point.

Brackley are three points adrift of their hosts but are on a small high as they won last time out, albeit against Hyde.

Avenue have signed former Bradford City defender Luke O’Brien as fears mount that Martin Drury’s recent injury might be career threatening.

However, Chib Chilaka could be back in contention. The striker returned to training this week following a niggling injury, and Deacey is hoping for a big performance to repay the home fans who stuck by the team last Monday night.

He said: “Chib should be back but we don’t want to rush him. He is a big, strong boy and he will be needed in what will be a tough game. Brackley are low in the table but that’s because the league is very difficult – they are still a very good side.

“The crowd were reasonable the other night – there were a few comments but they are entitled to them. They have been decent and very fair, even then when the performance was not acceptable.

“We will bounce back and I want it to come soon. We don’t want to loose the fans – we’ll get it right for them.”