LAUNCESTON boss Simon Minett feels the Clarets can still achieve a ‘top-10 finish’ in South West Peninsula League Premier West despite currently sitting second bottom of the division.

The former St Dennis and Bodmin Town boss joined the club over the summer to work alongside Neil Price, but after the former Watford defender stepped down due to personal reasons in mid-October, Minett is now the one making the decisions.

Launceston finished bottom last season but avoided relegation due to a lack of Step Six sides and St Dennis pulling out, but have struggled again this term, only winning two of their opening 14 games to sit just a point clear of Dobwalls who they visit this weekend.

Saturday saw Launceston’s home clash with Holsworthy postponed due to the weather.

Reflecting on his first few weeks in charge, Minett said: “It’s gone okay so far. We are adopting a new way of playing and working hard with the players at training.

“I took over in a period where we had four games in two weeks, so I’m looking forward to getting back on the training pitch on Wednesday to implement more ideas."

The Clarets have won at Wendron United, drawn 2-2 at Bude Town and been narrowly beaten 3-2 by top-half sides Wadebridge Town and Camelford in recent weeks as well as losing 2-0 at Penzance, and Minett feels there’s more to come from his side.

He said: “We're very confident off pulling away from trouble and still achieving a top 10 finish.

“I feel results have been slightly unlucky lately and we're in a false position in the league for the quality of players we have here.

“We have a great group of lads who are willing to listen and learn, so onwards and upwards is certainly the tune we're drumming into them.

“But being more ruthless in front of goal and taking our chances when they come will help us kick us on.”

Last time out saw the Clarets trounced 10-0 at Premier East leaders Bovey Tracey in the last 16 of the Walter C. Parson League Cup, but Minett isn’t worrying about it.

He said: “We went into the Bovey game without either of our first team keepers and had to sign a young lad on the day who did as good a job as we could of expected with missing nearly all of our defenders to suspension and injuries.

“Taking three centre-backs out of any side is hard, but facing a quality team in Bovey it was a thankless task.

“Regardless of the scoreline, we're glad the game was played as we cleared suspensions and can move on with the league.

“The lads were understanding of the situation on the day and we followed it up with a great training session on Wednesday.”

A big game awaits on Saturday at Lantoom Park, but Minett is focusing on his own side.

He said: “It’s always a tough place to go Dobwalls, they seem to have settled more in recent weeks so we expect a challenge as always, but we will look to go there and get a positive result and build.

“I’ve got a great bunch of lads in the squad and really we feel it's only a matter of time before we kick on.

“I hope teams take us lightly because we’re only going to improve.”