CHIPPENHAM Town manager Mark Collier is looking to add fresh blood into his squad after conceding their recent dip in form is a cause for concern.

The Bluebirds suffered a shock FA Cup exit at lower league Weymouth last Saturday, with their 2-0 defeat in the second qualifying round the third time in a row they have lost without scoring.

Although Collier is largely content with how Chippenham have adapted to life at a new level following their promotion to the National League South – they have picked up three wins and 12 points from their opening 11 league fixtures – he admits standards have slipped during their recent blip.

Injuries to defender Will Richards and striker Andy Sandell have not helped matters and Collier thinks the solution to the problem may be to bring in some fresh faces.

“We have had a thousand odd miles on the road in the last three weeks and that takes it out of people, I understand that, but the players have been given the opportunity to play at Conference South level and some have pulled up short,” said Collier.

“It’s my job to ensure we change that or do better, whether that be a change in system or a change in personnel.

“I just think we need to freshen up. Maybe we are short of a little bit of experience but experienced players come at a cost and most of the experienced players we are looking at are on a contract.

“If anyone becomes available that is better than what we have got then we have to be interested in looking at that.

“It’s just a little reality check, it’s not a crisis. We are going through a difficult time trying to win matches and I respect and understand we are in a big, powerful league, but there is a concern and hopefully we can change things sooner rather than later.”

Town’s cup exit means they have no replay to contend with and they have a week-long break before hosting Hemel Hempstead Town in the league on Saturday.

This is just the second time in the campaign’s opening eight weeks that the Bluebirds have no midweek fixture and Collier hopes a bit of respite will do his team good.

“We haven’t had a break since the start of the season, we have always gone Saturday-Tuesday,” said Collier.

“To have a free week, those injured players can get treatment and hopefully we can get a couple of those back. It’s a big week to get ourselves straight for another difficult game against Hemel.”