The midfielder, who switched to Nyewood Lane in the summer from the ranks of Premier League AFC Bournemouth, says the only way to extract Bognor from the slump in which they find themselves is for the players to take responsibility for their failings.

Robbie Blake’s troops lost 2-1 at home to fellow strugglers Canvey Island last week but get the chance to bounce back when they host Cray Valley PM this Saturday.

The disappointing defeat last time out leaves them third from bottom in the Isthmian premier division league standings.

Midfielder Burgess spoke of his frustration at the loss. He said: “To dominate a game in the way we did, especially in the first half, and in the second they haven’t had any — apart from the two they put in — and to not come away with anything from the game, is very disheartening for sure.

“There is never any doubt about the commitment from the team but it’s the same thing week in, week out at the moment. It’s one ball beating our back line and that is the complete basics of defending, and at the moment we cannot seem to do that.

“We are all disheartened, of course we are — no one likes to lose but we are in a tough time right now and the only people who are going to get us out of this mess are us. It’s so important that we stick together, work hard and hopefully something will turn for us.”

His views are echoed by gaffer Blake, who says now is not the time to allow the poor run of form impact on his side’s confidence.

He added: “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. Instead, we must show character and find a way to turn things round and salvage something from the season.

“Yes, it is a position exacerbated by the injuries we have to players who would most definitely impact games in our favour. That’s not an excuse, that’s just a fact.

“Our task is to adjust, regroup and stay mentally strong and I have no doubt we will find a way. I have the utmost faith in myself, the staff and the players here and with the camaraderie we have and without wanting to try to predict the future, I see no reason why we can’t reach the standards we set ourselves.

“What’s positive, and ultimately frustrating too, is that apart from Billericay, we haven’t been given a thumping by anyone in the league and have been in games to the point that you look at the result and think, ‘how did we not get something from that game?’.”