Such is the scale of the task facing Torquay United head coach Gary Owers and his assistant Martin Kuhl - that the pair haven't been granted an honeymoon period since taking over.
Another late goal condemned them to defeat against Dagenham & Redbridge - this time through a penalty from Fejiri Okenabirhie - but Owers believes United could have taken more from the game if they had taken their chances.
"If we'd taken our chances we could have been two or three up," said Owers. "We didn't and we paid the penalty for it with a soft decision against us late in the game."
The pick of those chances included an agonisingly miss from Northern Ireland international Josh McQuoid - on loan from Luton Town - and in the second half Exeter City loanee Jamie Reid forced a top drawer save from Daggers keeper Mark Cousins, following a superb move involving Luke Young, Damon Lathrope and McQuoid, in the 74th minute.
Yesterday's game was also notable for the fact that it was the first time this season - under the reigns of Kevin Nicholson, caretaker manager Robbie Herrera and Owers - that the Gulls were able to field a full strength back four. The reason for this is the return of left-back Liam Davis who not only missed the regular National League season up until now, but pre-season also.
Prior to Owers' arrival, the Gulls had conceded an average of two goals per game. However, since his appointment, that has now dropped to one per game.
Nevertheless United have only netted once during that time.
Hopefully once the Gulls' more attack-minded players, most notably loan signings Rhys Murphy and McQuoid, who Owers has brought in can get up to speed after having barely featured for their respective parent clubs - Forest Green Rovers and Luton - then real progress may not be far off the horizon for United.
