Dave Hibbert 'hurting' at Telford's struggle

The experienced 29-year-old striker has been in the game a long time, but he has never known things as bad as this.

But the former Shrewsbury Town target-man is determined to drag the Bucks up the table.

Hibbert prepares to face visitors Harrogate tomorrow looking to inspire a turnaround of fortunes, after admitting last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Bradford Park Avenue was one of the lowest points of his career.

He said: "The feeling I had after last Saturday's game was one of the worst feelings I've had in football. There was nothing to inspire us or the supporters who travelled in numbers again.

"Against Brackley, we played at a great tempo and that set the standard in terms of workrate. It was nowhere near good enough – myself included.

"I'm really hurting at where we are at the minute, but we've got to dig deep.

"As one of the more experienced players, the younger boys are going to be looking to me to show the way and I'm up for the challenge."

Boss Rob Smith responded by warning players on Tuesday a repeat won't be tolerated. And Hibbert, who also coaches Stoke City's Under-21s, concurs.

The striker said: "I totally agree with everything the manager told us. It has to start with work-rate, tempo and desire. It can't just be one or two – it has to be a collective unit. We've got to be a lot better."

Hibbert admitted he took his own share of the blame after the dismal showing at Bradford.

He said: "I was disappointed with myself. I didn't win my personal battle enough, but maybe that takes its toll after not doing a great deal and playing three games in a week."

Telford – expected to be among the promotion favourites – are bottom of National League North with just four points from eight games.

Even for Hibbert, veteran of a League Two promotion with Shrewsbury, this is a new experience. And he admits it wasn't what he envisaged.

He said: "I've never been bottom of the league and I've never been part of such a struggling team.

"I've always been part of successful and promotion-chasing teams, at Shrewsbury, Peterborough and Preston.

"I didn't come here to be happy with staying in this league – I came here to get out of it at the other end and have a go at playing in the league above.

"I'll always give everything but we've got to show that desire and togetherness to fight as hard as we can to get us out of this position."

Harrogate arrive with five wins from eight games which has left them in third place. The Yorkshiremen have a reputation of being physical.

Hibbert said: "I know what it's going to be like, because I experienced it last season. This is going to be a physical game again – they've got some good players.

"I played with one of their lads last season at Tamworth, Brendan Daniels, and if he plays, he'll be a threat.

"But we've got to concentrate on ourselves, making sure our mentality and desire is there to bring us back to winning ways."