Barrow manager Paul Gallagher has challenged his players to tap into their nasty side in an effort to turn around a season that is hurtling towards relegation.
A 2-1 defeat at fellow League Two strugglers Shrewsbury on Tuesday made it five losses from five for the under-pressure boss since taking over early last month and left Barrow just three points above the relegation zone in 22nd place.
Speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria at Croud Meadow, Gallagher called for everyone associated with the club to "stand up and be counted" as they scrap to maintain their Football League status.
"First and foremost you have to compete in games of football and at the moment I feel we are just too nice," said Gallagher. "We are in an absolute battle now and we need people to stand up and be counted."
The club parted company with former manager Andy Whing in December and appointed Gallagher early last month but the change has failed to arrest a tailspin since which started in early October.
Barrow have taken seven points from a possible 48 in 16 league outings since beating Crawley in late September. Gallagher's side are also without a win at home since beating Crewe on 20 September.
Last week chairman Paul Hornby issued a call for calm heads but the pressure has continued to mount with Tuesday's defeat leaving Barrow looking nervously at the League Two table.
"I am not naive I understand football and you need to win," added Gallagher. "You need to do your best for everybody.
"Individually you want to do well but collectively too because you have to care about the supporters and the people that work at the stadium.
"I understand where we are but we need to find a way to get out of it.
"We had a gruelling away fixture at Shrewsbury who are fighting for their lives and we need to do that at our home place. People talk about this record but we need to be positive.
"We need to make Holker Street a fortress. Get away from the fact we haven't won at home for so long and change that mentality."
Barrow, who face Colchester next up on Saturday (15:00 GMT), have spent five seasons in League Two since returning to the Football League after 48 seasons away between 1972-2020.
Their eighth-placed finish in 2023-24 remains their high-water mark.