FORWARD Dominic Osman believes it's only a matter of time before Hull Stingrays turn their results around.
Osman's side is currently on a six-game losing streak and have sunk to the foot of the Elite League table.
It is only a matter of weeks since they were flying and just a point off sixth place and firmly in the play-off spots.
Stingrays host Sheffield Steelers tonight and travel to Cardiff tomorrow before their Christmas break.
Osman said: "We can play with these top teams.
"It's only a matter of time before we squeak out a win and once we get one I think the rest will fall into place.
"All we need to do is keep working.
"If we keep working everything will turn around for us."
Stingrays had shipped 25 goals in four games up to last weekend, leaving them with little or no chance of winning.
However, against Nottingham and Belfast, Stingrays' defensive zone had tightened up, with Ryan Hand reverting back to the blueline, rather than playing up front.
Both games finished in 3-1 defeats, and by the Giants game the shots on keeper Ben Bowns was closer to 30 than 60.
However, Stingrays' other Achilles' heel is still prevalent – an inability to finish off their chances. Clear-cut opportunities against big-budget clubs tend to be few and far between, and have to be stuck away.
That problem is particularly marked when Stingrays have a one or two-man advantage on the ice.
Currently, only Dundee boast a worse conversion rate on the powerplay and Stingrays are ranked bottom on penalty killing.
Last Sunday Stingrays had eight spells on the powerplay and failed to score. Nottingham – who boast the league's best powerplay – had six spells and scored twice.
Osman said that fundamental flaw proved costly for his side.
"I don't think we played badly against Nottingham, we played well, the difference was the powerplay," he said.
"We were 0 and eight and they were two from six. We need to find a way to score on the powerplay.
"I need to find a way to score on my chances, like everyone else.
"We had a lot of opportunities, but we didn't capitalise on our chances and I think that was the difference in the game."
And the 30-year-old winger admits the current rut is disappointing, particularly given Stingrays comfortable start to the season.
"Obviously it's very frustrating right now, it's never fun losing.
"It's really, really, really frustrating right now, there's no other way to explain it, but we have to stay positive and stick with it.
"We have to dig deep and pull ourselves out.
"We have been in this situation before, we know what to do.
"Everything will turn around, there's no doubt in my mind.
"I think I can definitely do more and want to do more, but I need to keep focused, keep doing those little things, and keep on working hard."