Johnson Hippolyte was appointed as Maidenhead United manager in 2006

Maidenhead United manager Johnson Hippolyte insists that they can avoid relegation, despite currently lying bottom of Blue Square Bet South.

The Magpies travel to Lewes on Saturday to face the team just two points ahead of them in the table.

And Hippolyte told BBC Berkshire: "This is a cup final. It's a game we can win if we play like we have done recently.

"I honestly believe that, man for man, we're better than six, seven or eight teams around us."

Hippolyte added: "I know we've got enough in the squad.

"It's turning up on the day and producing and not making stupid errors and, once we do that, then I know we'll be fine.

"We had a much-improved performance at Hampton last Tuesday which lifted all the players, management and supporters and we'll go to Lewes and get a result."

With his team bottom of the tablem, having won just six times this season, Hippolyte admits to feeling the pressure.

"It's tough, testing times," he said. "It tests our characters as players and managers, but we're up for the fight.

"We're digging in and we're sure we can get out of the predicament we're in.

"My sleep pattern isn't good at the moment. I'm on tenterhooks where I'm normally bubbly.

"I'm trying to keep cheerful and as normal as possible, but it's frustrating.

"In my career I've been very lucky - I'm used to winning more than losing - but this is part of the experience, taking the rough with the smooth and we'll keep fighting and I'm sure I'll come out the other side."

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