But if a week is a long time in politics, a month is an eternity in sport.

City has lost three of its past four, leaked nine goals in those losses and now sits fifth on a congested ladder, just a win in front of tomorrow’s rival, Twin City.

The Wanderers, last year’s league champions, are at a crossroads of their own.

They sit sixth knowing a win keeps the league in their sights, a loss potentially nine points adrift of top spot.

Albury City defender Aaron Gough believes his team needs to rediscover the confidence that saw it dominant in the opening rounds.

“We just need to go back to the way we played at the start of the year and a lot of that is about confidence,” he said.

“Against Wangaratta (the first of the losing streak) we could have easily hit the front in the second half, but then they went down the other end of the field and found the back of the net.

“We are a young side and that sort of goal saw a few of the boys drop their heads — it is up to the senior guys to rally, get them to lift again for the another effort.

“A similar thing happened against Melrose when we led 2-0 and then last week we were pushing for the winner and conceded on 90 minutes.”

Gough expects the Jelbart Park clash to be a physical encounter.

“They are a good side, always tough, always physical,” he said.

“We need to be ready for that.

“Albury United are a physical side too but we were able to deal with that and so we’ll take the positives from that win.”

Albury City’s recent run has also coincided with an injury to Tristan Ivanku.

Gough said it was unclear when attacking midfielder would return tomorrow or the near future.

“He’s been training but still pulling up sore,” he said.

“We have plenty of depth — there might be a few positional changes this weekend but that is yet to be finalised.

“The fact is, had we taken just some of our chances in the past month, we might have been having a different conversation.”