ASHLEY Hoskin remains convinced he can turn around Rossendale United's dismal early season form.

Dale are currently rock bottom of the UniBond First Division, having picked up just two points from seven league games.

Four successive league defeats, the latest a 5-1 midweek mauling at Kendal, has merely confirmed what manager Hoskin already knew.

And after insisting he is sending "kids on men's errands" the former Burnley winger is busy flicking through his contacts book to try to add experience to his squad ahead of Saturday's home clash with Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Hoskin said: "We are trying to compete and it is still early days, but I'm not stupid and I know that with seven games gone what we have is not good enough.

"I'm sending kids on mens errands, but I've had a good sit down and a chat with the chairman and I've been told funds are available.

"Now it's up to me to make the most of that money, but it's become clear to both of us that we cannot go on the way we started.

"Our defending has not been good enough, so I've been told I can bring in a few defenders and the hunt is now on before the weekend."

Hoskin, new to management, added: "I will turn things around and the way I see it, there is only one way we can go from here.

"When I got the job this summer we said we would have a look at where we were after 15 games and, in some ways, I still think the start we've had is a little misleading.

"We have faced some of the sides expected to be up there challenging, like Telford, whereas Saturday's opponents, Stocksbridge, are on more of a similar level to ourselves.

"Make no mistake, this is a massive game for us and it should give us a more realistic insight as to where we are at."

Hoskin added he hopes to add to his squad at the 11th hour, but would otherwise be unchanged.