Allen replaced Keith Downing as Cheltenham manager in August
Cheltenham manager Martin Allen remains adamant his side are good enough to stay in League One.
The Robins are currently five points from safety after twice squandering a lead at Bristol Rovers in a 3-2 defeat.
Allen said: "These players can turn it around and they will turn it around. We've got players who are playing and are nowhere near match fit.
"But they're good players and we've got to be patient and wait for them to get up to full match speed."
He added: "The only way they're going to get match fit is by playing them."
Cheltenham looked set to do the double over their west country rivals after goals from Ashley Vincent and Lloyd Owusu gave them a 2-1 lead with time running out.
But Rovers director of football Lennie Lawrence was confident the visitors would tire in the last 20 minutes, and in the final 10 minutes the hosts pounced twice to take the spoils.
"They players are down, they're disappointed and the last thing they need is for me to come in and shout and bawl at them," said Allen.
It's a cruel game at the moment. It's cruel and it's biting us
Martin Allen on Cheltenham's struggles
"If they waver and stop putting in the effort, commitment and the energy then you have got a big, big problem.
"There were a couple of little errors and mistakes, but overall you can't fault the commitment and energy and I thought they were absolutely terrific. They fought like tigers and gave everything they've got."
But, at the moment, not even everything seems enough for Cheltenham.
They twice let the lead slip at the Memorial Stadium, having also thrown away a two-goal advantage at home to Brighton at the weekend, to make it eight games without a win.
They have conceded 14 goals in their last four league games and have the second worst defence in the Football League after Crewe, who are one place and two points below them.
They have been in the relegation zone nearly all season, are bottom of the League One form table and next up on the fixture list are second-placed MK Dons, who have the best away record in the division.
Allen has a footballing saying: 'When you win you don't pop the champagne; When you lose you don't pop the pills.'
Cheltenham boss Allen to stay positive
But those facts and figures are enough to force anyone to contemplate the contents of their bathroom cabinet, particularly after a night like Tuesday.
Cheltenham started the evening three points from safety and the only team playing fellow strugglers.
But after conceding goals in the 84th and 85th minutes they ended it five points from safety as a remarkable set of results conspired against them.
Brighton picked up a point at leaders Leicester, Leyton Orient won at second-placed MK Dons, Swindon secured a first win under Danny Wilson and Yeovil made it two 1-0 wins on the spin, their first back-to-back league victories of the season.
"It's a cruel game at the moment," said Allen. "It's cruel and it's biting us."
With time running out, a lead to defend and the wind in their faces, Town turned their back on the pressing game Allen espoused which had served them well and sat further and further back as anxiety ate away at their confidence.
Their defensive line was stretched to its limit and the breaking point came when substitute Nicholas Bignall needlessly fouled Ryan Green.
Goalkeeper Scott Brown had kept Rovers at bay with two fine saves at his post to deny Jo Kuffour and tipped a header from Craig Disley on to the woodwork.
However, on this occasion Brown could only parry Rickie Lambert's header from the free-kick to Darryl Duffy, and within a minute Town were undone again at the back and facing up to another loss.
But the dogged Allen has the attitude and appearance of a willing fighter and needs it for the continuing battle against relegation, starting with the visit of one of his former sides, MK Dons, on Saturday.
He will sit his squad down in front of the DVD of the Rovers game on Thursday to show them what they are doing right, he will tinker with the team as he closes in on a settled side, look to eradicate the "little errors" that have hindered progress and hope that Town get the rub of the refereeing green after some "shocking" calls in recent weeks.
"I've got to keep strong, keep positive, keep reiterating the good play, practice it and improve it and keep going," he added.
"When you're looking for that win that's going to lift everybody, first and foremost the manager's got to stay up there and keep fighting and keep working.
"We've taken a few knocks, a few kicks in the guts, but they keep bouncing back.
"Full credit to the players. It's a testing time but we have to stand up and face it together."
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