By Pete Oliver

Wilder has had much to ponder in his role as Halifax manager

Halifax Town have had their troubles before but it is fair to say that the former Football League club is in one of its more perilous positions.

A move into administration for the second time in ten years has been taken to avoid the threat of liquidation.

The club, with reported debts of �1.1m, has been put up for sale.

A consortium headed by local businessmen David Bosomworth and Bobby Ham, who had been funding the club and trying to complete a takeover, have maintained their interest.

But even if a deal is completed and creditors satisfied, the ten-point penalty imposed for entering into administration has left Halifax teetering on the brink of relegation to the footballing hinterlands of Blue Square North.

With the news of fresh financial concerns triggering a run of three successive defeats, only goal difference is keeping them out of the bottom four.

Manager Chris Wilder told BBC Sport: "The facts of the matter are that we had just won three on the bounce and we were superb when we played against Torquay.

We are getting it in the neck, which is disappointing but we have to get on with the job Chris Wilder

"We were looking to reel in the teams above us and break into the top half, which after another season of uncertainty would have been a good effort.

"We wanted to finish the season with a bit of momentum, get the takeover done and dusted and then look at next season with a clean slate.

"This came out of the blue so the players have gone from that situation to a situation where it's going to be a bumpy road right to the end of the season."

As is often the case, injuries have also arrived at just the wrong time with five senior players sidelined, including top-scorer Jon Shaw.

"It has given everyone else hope and a spring in their step, knowing that one more team has been dragged into it," added Wilder.

"But we have to be confident, trust in our abilities and get the players organised to pick up the required results.

"We need to dust ourselves down and get back on track pretty quickly.

"It's not a position the players or myself got us into but we must be the ones to get us out of it. All we can concentrate on is getting the points to get us through."

All those connected with The Shay hope for a swift change in fortunes

However, staying focussed may not be easy against the backdrop of financial and boardroom uncertainty that has never been too far away since Halifax's return to Conference level in 2002 and which has intensified over the last two years since they played in the 2006 play-off final.

"We have been given assurances and been told this is the only way to put an end to everything and that the club will have a future. But going down this road is not ideal for myself and the players," admitted Wilder, who has been in charge at the Shay for close to six years.

"There is no wage deferral and we don't have to get rid of players but the players have been rocked and confused.

"There is still going to be a little bit of uncertainty there. They are footballers, not legal experts."

Wilder's job is therefore to nurture minds and bodies through the closing weeks of the season.

The former Halifax, Sheffield United and Rotherham defender, 40, has the experience and the track record behind him to do it, although not all the supporters have been sympathetic.

"It's a difficult time for us and I think some of the criticism flying around has been unjust. I think there has got to be a bit of balance," he said.

"Our players have under-performed a little bit. If we had not drawn so many games from winning positions we would have been nearer the top of it.

"But we are not the ones who have taken ten points off. We are getting it in the neck, which is disappointing but we have to get on with the job."

Wilder plans to "stick his chest out" and tough it out as he bids to make sure Halifax sink no lower. It is clear there is major soul-searching ahead but for a now he has one more scrap to win.

"This is another battle. I don't see a lot of people having to fight the battles we have to fight. In an ever-advancing league we are a club that has stood still and gone backwards," he added.

"But if I stay in this career for any length of time hopefully this experience will stand me in good stead and make me a stronger person and if the players come through it they can be pleased with themselves."