Devonshire Cougars coach Albert Smith has held a heart-to-heart meeting with his players in a bid to address their alarming slump in form.

After winning the Martonmere Cup, the club have stuttered through a series of poor performances and now lie second from bottom of the league, with a game in hand.

Their last two matches, both against North Village, have ended in resounding defeats, 4-1 on each occasion.

But they have a chance to redress the balance tonight when they take on bottom side St. George’s at Devonshire Rec. (9.00 p.m.).

“It’s just a matter of how we regroup,” said Smith, who cited injuries as one reason for the dip. “Other teams have experienced slumps. After winning the Martonmere Cup we have not been as consistent as we would have liked to have been.

“I’ve had a long chat to the players to try and iron out the wrinkles. But on the whole, they remain committed to the rest of the season and tomorrow we will definitely be looking for results.”

Cougars will be without the services of Devon Brangman, who is injured, but the dynamic duo of Heys Wolffe and Raymond Beach may provide a handful for the east enders with Beach expected to be back up to par, having returned to the line-up against North Village in the Friendship Trophy last week.

The towering presence of Mark Smith in the middle may cause problems as well, but Neil Paynter and former Cougar, Herbie Bascome, could be called upon to keep the powerful maestro in check.

“We just have to put the past behind us, stick to our commitments and stay focused for the remainder of the season,” said Smith.

Meanwhile, time is certainly not on the side of St. George’s, as with each passing game the prospect of a quick return to the First Division gets a little closer. They have just one win to their credit this season.