Lowestoft Town boss Ady Gallagher is adamant his players have not been affected by the club's financial difficulties.

The Trawlerboys recently penned an open letter to announce the 'different financial position' they are in compared to when they last played in the Ryman League Premier Division. Two years in National League (Conference) North, at Step Two of the non-league pyramid, have clearly taken their toll on, and off, the pitch at Crown Meadow.

But Gallagher is sure there's only one thing on his troops' minds as they look to get their slow-starting season back on track.

He said: 'I'd like to think the expectation in the dressing room remains the same. They're good players who believe they are capable of doing well so that won't have changed.

'Regarding wages, we discussed new contracts going into the season and even though they're semi-professional players, they're dealing with it all very professionally. Not being paid isn't even on the agenda. We're not in decline. We're living within our means. All the players are concerned about is that they're not 100pc happy with the level of performances, and results especially, so far.

'They want to get better results and stick together. They known what position the club is in, they know our backs are against the wall, and they know they've got to come out fighting.'

Relegated Lowestoft head to Wingate & Finchley having failed to win in five matches. Three losses on the bounce have further increased the gloom surrounding the club.

But Gallagher feels a cloud has been lifted by Town's plight being made public and feels now is the time to look towards the future rather than focussing on the outstanding glories of the recent past.

'The biggest burden for some clubs at many levels is their history,' said the Blues' boss, who this week re-signed midfielder Harvey Hodd.

'For the 17 years I've been here we've had some truly tremendous times. Great days with an almost endless run of great seasons. Pushing boundaries and making history. But we cannot be weighed down by that. We fought so hard to survive in Conference North.

'With everything that was thrown at us, reduced budgets, the travelling, being in that league – if you analyse that you could see how hindered we were. We went down on goal difference, which speaks for itself.

'The reality is it took us four seasons to get out of this level (Ryman League Premier Division) on a bigger budget than we've got now. Let's be realistic, if we can get ourselves in and around the top and be competitive – which is the aim – it would be an absolutely fantastic achievement.'

Hodd's return, plus the availability once more of Andrew Fisk, Chris Henderson and Jake Reed – with Ryan Jarvis having a chance of making a comeback from a broken finger – leaves the Blues in far greater shape than when they last played on Tuesday September 13.

'Now we've we've explained some of the problems facing us as a club, hopefully now people will have a bigger understanding of what we are up against and tailor their expectations accordingly,' added Gallagher.

'We had money available to re-sign Harvey so we utilised it and we'll be a lot stronger as an attacking force with the bodies that we've got back.'