Manager Brady Stone is adamant he can turn around the fortunes of Ely City.

The Robins have picked up just one point from their last 10 games in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division.

It’s a miserable run which has seen them slide into the bottom four and which was extended by a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Walsham-le-Willows last Saturday.

City were the better side in the opening half, but were unable to recover after falling behind on the hour – a goal Stone admitted ‘knocked the life’ out of his team.

“If I didn’t think I could turn it around, I would have walked way by now,” Stone told the Ely Standard. “I’m here to stay, I’m here to fight and I will get this right.

“It’s a tough time for the club. The bad run has affected the confidence of the squad and we’re also short of experience after losing some important players.

“But I seriously believe we can finish in mid-table just as we have done in the past two seasons.

“It’s a league where any team can beat any other on any given day and one result could really set us off again.

“We’ve brought two new players in and we’re looking to add a couple more in the coming weeks.”

Stone has drafted in experienced striker Steve Holder and promising midfielder Alex Batten.

Holder will join up with the Robins squad for their Premier Division home clash against Long Melford this Saturday, 3pm, after arriving from First Division North side Diss Town.

And midfielder Batten made a pleasing debut on Tuesday night when helping City to county cup success after stepping up from Cambridgeshire County League side Whittlesford, where he has scored 10 goals in as many games last season.

Stone added: “Steve has experience, quality and a winning mentality.

“He has played at higher levels in the past and has a mean eye for goal as well as being excellent at holding the ball up.

“Alex came highly recommended to me and he did well on Tuesday. He’s very keen to step up to this level and I’m sure he can do it.”

City then entertain Newmarket Town in the third round of the League Challenge Cup on Tuesday, 7.45pm.

It’s a third clash of the season between the two sides. Stone’s men triumphed in the league, but Newmarket gained revenge by dumping City out of the FA Vase.