JAMIE Whisken never saw himself as a player who would celebrate avoiding relegation.

But the Poole Town skipper admits he will happily make an exception if his team escape their current predicament in National South.

Five points from safety and with just one win from their past eight league games, Dolphins face a hugely important fixture against visitors Chippenham Town tomorrow (7.45pm).

Former Cherries youngster Whisken, who has not missed a minute of the league campaign, admits it will take something special to pull away from the drop zone.

He told the Daily Echo: "Staying up is not something you want to celebrate at the end of the season but given the position we are in, I'd be happy to celebrate it.

"Things don't look great at the moment so to stay up would be a massive achievement.

"It's hard to remain positive but you have to. We've seen it many times before in football when clubs have fought until the end of the season and survived.

"All you need is to go on a winning streak for a few games and once you have got one, it's possible to completely change the mood in the camp and that's what we need.

"I don't think it's far off. Luck has been against us here and there but we are the ones who need to change that luck.

"The belief is definitely there. We haven't suddenly become a bad team overnight. I think we still have enough quality in the side and we have enough to pull ourselves out of trouble.

"Not picking up any points against Welling on Saturday has made the Chippenham game absolutely massive. We need three points and that is exactly what we will be going out for."

Boss Tom Killick has steered Poole to four promotions since taking over in 2004 and presided over a fifth-place finish last season, with Dolphins denied the chance to compete in the play-offs due to failing to meet ground regulations.

The club had to carry out extensive improvements to the Black Gold Stadium last season just to retain their status in English football's sixth tier.

"We all believe in what Tommy does with us on and off the pitch and there is no one better to get us out of this," said Whisken.

"He said after the game on Saturday that it would hurt us so much if we dropped down after the hard work of previous years, and it's so true.

"That's the last thing any of us want so we have to do everything to make sure we are not back down there. It's important we all remain as positive as possible, as hard as it may be.

"It can't be easy for the supporters to watch but they are a part of it, too.

"If we hear negatives coming from them, it makes it hard for the squad to stay positive so we have to remember we are all in it as one."