Peterhead boss Jim McInally struggles to recall a loss of form like their current one during his time at Balmoor.
Their current run has seen them lose their last three league games, a statistic they have not achieved since the 2015-16 season.
The Blue Toon sit ninth in the table and have not won since the 2-1 win at Stranraer at the end of August. A 1-1 draw at Clyde last month has been the solitary bright spot in a difficult spell.
That collapse three years ago, which also included the 4-0 Challenge Cup final defeat to Rangers, saw them lose their last five League 1 fixtures and the two-legged promotion play-off against Ayr United.
The circumstances are different this time around but the quest for a resolution to the malaise remains the same.
McInally said: “I can hardly remember us losing three games on the bounce in eight years at the club. You start thinking whether you just go with experienced players, or do you go with the team that you won with the last time?
“You can’t get too downbeat about things – you have to keep encouraging them. Confidence, not just in football but in life, is what everything is about.
“You can see it draining. What you need to do is go and grind out a result and earn that break. No-one enjoys losing games and being at the bottom of the league but we will get a break.”
Today’s game at Dumbarton would provide some symmetry if they were to get a positive result and get their campaign back on track.
Dumbarton came from two goals down at Balmoor in August, winning 3-2 and breathing life into their own stuttering start to the season. The Sons have since got themselves up to fourth in League 1 and into the play-off places.
McInally added: “They were really toiling until the played us and they got a lift. That’s the kind of thing I’m looking for, to emulate what they have done.
“Dumbarton got a boost from beating us so hopefully we can return the compliment.”
McInally has only Simon Ferry as an absentee for this afternoon’s game. Midfielder Jack Leitch came back last weekend against Falkirk after long-term injury.
