Aldridge has repeatedly threatened changes on the back of defeats

Basingstoke Bison coach Ryan Aldridge wants his players to forget the team's off-ice troubles after defeats at home to Newcastle and away at Manchester.

The Bison lost both games 5-2, bringing their losing streak to 12 matches since the start of the Elite League season.

"We've had some off-ice problems this week and carried those problems into the game," Aldridge told the BBC.

"In British ice hockey those problems are going to happen and we've got to forget about them."

Basingstoke have suffered considerable financial problems over the summer and into the new season, with Elite League rivals Cardiff providing a five-figure sum to sustain the team in September.

Those issues, coupled with the team's disastrous start to the season, have left the Basingstoke dressing-room devoid of morale.

"We're struggling with defence week in, week out, and changes have got to be made," said Aldridge after Saturday's defeat by Newcastle - a fixture he had earlier branded a "must-win" game.

"Can we make changes, or can we not? We're in a bit of an awkward place right now," he added.

"I'm very disappointed. Before the game I saw their line-up, saw ours, and we've got a better line-up, I don't care what anyone says.

"But we're not working right now. We keep going over and over it, but it's gone too far now."

Aldridge admitted he is feeling the pressure of 12 winless outings, but hinted that issues off the ice were worse than has been reported.

"I've got a lot of pressure on my shoulders right now, and it's more pressure than I need," he said.

"People don't know the half of what we go through as a team in Basingstoke. If they did, maybe they'd lay off our backs a little more.

"We don't deal with the same problems as everyone else in the league."

New signing Matt Miller, who has played in just a handful of the Bison's defeats, believes the team need to start scoring earlier to have a hope of turning their form around.

"The first goal, everyone looks up, they're cheering and they're happy, and everyone sulks a bit," said the Canadian.

"We've got to start getting the first goal. We're in a big slump right now.

"It's a little different playing full strength. We're going to start rolling now, it's going to turn this team around."

"We appreciate them still being loud and we love the drums," said the 29-year-old.

"It's exciting for me coming from America - in America you get a lot of sit-back-and-watch fans, it's tough.

"But there are great fans here and they're sticking by us, even though we're struggling."