TORQUAY UNITED boss Kevin Nicholson admits he has found it difficult to add much needed experience to his squad.
The Gulls fell to their third defeat in a row on Saturday as they were beaten 2-1 at fellow strugglers Maidstone United.
That disappointing result has left Nicholson's side just two points above the bottom four after York City, North Ferriby United and Guiseley all won to reduce the gap.
Nicholson, who saw star striker Nathan Blissett sign for Plymouth Argyle earlier this month, has been trying to add to his young squad but without success so far.
Midfielder Aman Verma and forward Shaun Harrad are the only players over 30 in the Torquay squad and Nicholson says bringing in the right kind of player has not been easy.
Nicholson told BBC Radio Devon: “All being well we can look to help this group with a bit of experience. That's been ongoing for a couple of weeks now, but it's a tough one at the moment to get the right people.
“I just haven't had the breakthroughs that it looked at times I was going to have, but that's the nature of the beast – you've got to keep asking the questions and highlighting the players and eventually you'll get what you want.
“If they (the players) don't get it (experience), it's my fault – I'm the manager. I have to get it so it becomes second nature to them.
“It's okay talking about a lack of experience and what we need, but what we have right now I have to make better – that's the truth of it.”
Meanwhile, the club expects Riviera Stadium Limited's takeover of the club to be formally ratified by the National League at their February board meeting.
The sale of the club was supposed to be confirmed by the league at their meeting on January 19 but the subject was deferred due to “administrative reasons”.
The Gulls' new owner, Clarke Osborne, said: “These last few weeks have reinforced my belief that this club has a great heart, a proud history, and is infused with great people who give their time and energy to its well-being, sometimes without financial reward.”
