Jim Jefferies will draw on his experience to see him through one of the stickiest patches of his managerial career.

The City boss has not been given a deadline by chairman Geoffrey Richmond - but knows that the three games in the next week, starting with Watford at Valley Parade tomorrow, could shape his survival chances.

But Jefferies has vowed to confront the challenge head-on as he looks to halt a slide of seven defeats in eight games.

He said: "I've come through this sort of thing before so I know what to expect. This is my 14th season in management and Billy Brown and I have faced obstacles before and got over them - this is no different.

"When you're in the game for any length of time you know there are times like this when everything centres on the manager's position. It's the same at every club because the only thing that matters is results.

"The only certainty is that your job is always secure if you are winning matches and at the moment that is not happening for us. But it's at times like this when you just have to pick yourself up and start working even harder to turn it round."

Jefferies is unlikely to have Juanjo's services available for the crunch visit of Gianluca Vialli's side.

The Hearts winger was due for talks yesterday but his agent was held up. Jefferies said: "He phoned me saying they had been delayed but we're hoping the agent will be down today.

"I know there are a couple of clubs in England and a couple in Scotland who are also interested in Juanjo. But I know he enjoyed working with me and hopefully that might help to persuade him to come here."

City have slashed ticket prices for tomorrow as well as Tuesday's home game with Wimbledon in a bid to drum up support during troubled times.

Jefferies said: "The supporters have been terrific since I've been here. They know we've lost a lot of players and had to work in the market of short-term deals, loans and free transfers.

"It's not ideal when you are trying to get success. But the fans understand that and know how difficult it is. They have stayed right behind us throughout and deserve to be watching a good side."