SCOTT Ruscoe has backed TNS to emerge through their slump at Barry Town United on Saturday.

The Saints travel to Jenner Park on the back of a miserable run and two successive defeats to leave them third in the table.

The TNS manager accepted the pressure was on him after his underperforming side tasted a fourth defeat of the JD Welsh Premier season.

“Of course I’m aware of the pressure I’m carrying on my shoulders, “ said Ruscoe. “We can’t hide from the fact the league is all we talk about.

“If you fall behind in it then you’re in trouble. You’re playing catch-up, although the top two of Connah’s Quay and Barry Town played each other too.”

Ruscoe insisted his players had the ability to win the league with the current slump a test of their character.

“I back my ability every time. I know we can go 10 games winning 10 out of 10 as we all know the league inside out,” said Ruscoe. “You have spells like this and it’s about how you overcome them.”

Ruscoe is prepared to be ruthless to arrest the decline and looked to the leaders in the Saints camp to step up to the mark.

“We’re in a sticky situation and a bad patch so we’re looking for leaders to come out and have a go,” said Ruscoe.

“Barry was always going to be a ‘must-win’ but now there’s the added pressure.

“I think it will be like Nomads the other week when we wanted to win to make sure we could stamp our authority on the league.

“Going away to Barry will be different although we beat them comfortably in the opening game.”

Ruscoe revealed the Saints could go for a more attacking approach at Barry.

“Nine times out of 10 that if you put more forwards on and get the ball in the box you put teams under pressure,” said Ruscoe. “It’s that middle third where teams are pressuring us so maybe we need to be more direct.”