DAVE Penney believes his struggling Oldham players face a relegation 'six-pointer' when Exeter City visit Boundary Park on Saturday.

Having been seventh in League One at the end of September, Penney's men are now one spot off the bottom four and their tally of 15 goals is the lowest in the division.

They have lost six of their last seven games, including their last three, and haven't scored since a 2-2 draw with Colchester last month.

The Oldham boss said: "Saturday is now a real six-pointer if you like but we've had a tough run of games against teams with big fan-bases and budgets.

"We haven't disgraced ourselves but we've now got a six to eight-week spell against teams who are in and around us.

"Norwich were always going to be tough opponents even if we had all of our top players available."

Penney believes his squad have to emulate the mental toughness of players like centre-half Sean Gregan if they are to turn their season around.

He says his players need to put their bodies on the line — literally.

Penney said: "Mental toughness comes when you've played a certain amount of games.

"Sean Gregan has got it; Pawel Abbott has it; Reuben Hazell has it. We haven't enough with mental strength. But it's up to the young kids."

He added: "We've got to do the basics right, do the ugly stuff right. That means blocking crosses like Sean does — getting hit in the private parts from shots on goal.

"It's what we're not quite doing at the moment."