Peter Taylor thought he’d seen it all in a lifetime in football – but City’s current struggle in League Two takes the biscuit.

He admitted: “It’s the most difficult and surprising season I’ve ever had. I’m staggered we’re in this position.”

Injuries continue to pile up – Lee Bullock could be facing a long-term absence – and three straight losses have darkened the mood around Valley Parade.

Saturday’s home game with Burton has suddenly taken on critical status for all concerned. Even the manager’s programme notes have been agonised over.

Taylor said: “It’s much easier to write things down if you’re successful. When you’re not, they come over as excuses. That’s why it’s always best to win because then you don’t have to explain yourself.

“There are loads of things that are wrong, loads of things that have been unlucky, loads of things where we can do much better. I don’t mean just with the players but myself, without a doubt.”

The back-to-back wins over the new year weekend, especially City’s performance against Bury, now seem a world away.

At that stage, Taylor confidently expected his side to kick on. Instead their progress stalled just as quickly and now the momentum is gathering in the wrong direction.

“I watched that second half against Bury and thought to myself ‘this is how we can play’,” he said.

“Since then we’ve been pointless, although in all the games we can look back on opportunities to have taken the lead or gone further ahead.”

The failure in front of goal continues to haunt Taylor’s plans. After assembling his squad in the summer, it was the one area where he knew City could end up short.

“At least I’ve got something right then,” he joked. “But I’ve said it for a long time.

“I had a player called Stuart Elliott at Hull City and at times he was absolutely hopeless. But then he’d go and smash one in the net and win the game for you.

“That’s what goalscorers do. Unfortunately we haven’t had that. So it means we’ve got to play superbly, like we did against Bury in the second half, for us to create a load of chances.”

Bullock saw specialist Stephen Bollen today amid fears that it could be a ruptured thigh muscle. With Tommy Doherty already out, City’s engine room is short on numbers.

After the shortage with centre halves, the injury jinx has now shifted to midfield.

Michael Flynn is expected to make the bench this weekend but it would be far too risky to throw him in too early after so long on the sidelines. David Syers, who will partner Tom Adeyemi, also took a whack at Aldershot and has not trained.

Taylor said: “David’s walking round gingerly but we need him fit. We’ve had some horrendous luck with injuries to the same positions and it’s hurt us.”

Whatever the restrictions, Taylor knows there will be no hiding place. Three points is a must, regardless of circumstances.

He said: “When we played Burton before, I thought they deservedly beat us. We were far too open.

“It’s going to be another tough game but I’m really hopeful that we’re going to get a reaction from our boys.

“The club need a result, simple as that. I’m expecting everybody to give everything they’ve got to get us back on track.”