Andy Barcham believes AFC Wimbledon must relax to end a run of 710 minutes without a league goal on their travels.
The luckless Dons take on in-form Shrewsbury tomorrow, and needed stoppage-time goals to save a point at home to both Charlton and basement boys Coventry this week.
Even so, both were a positive deluge compared to the drought away from Kingsmeadow.
Tom Elliott’s 10th minute winner at Peterborough was their last league One goal on the road – back on October 22.
Barcham, a member of the misfiring front line says the resulting anxiety can mean you end up trying too hard.
“The gaffer has been talking about anxiety and that’s what it has felt like,” said Barcham.
“Everyone is a bit anxious out there. We are maybe trying too hard sometimes and then it becomes like we are forcing it and it is not natural or flowing.
“Then as you say when you get chances instead of showing that composure we showed in the early part of the season we are snatching at things.”
At first glance the Shrews don’t appear to be the ideal opponents to end both a goal drought and slump form having won their last three on home turf.
Former Tottenham and Portsmouth winger Barcham though, has come through dips and troughs many a time and knows all you do is be brave enough to keep sticking your head over the parapet.
“We have just got to keep with each other, keep the team spirit going and it will come," he added.
“In that period where it is not going right for you it is about how you react to it and deal with those problems.
“Do you just hide? Do you drop your head? or do you keep battling away until you turn that corner?”
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