Micky Mellon feels his Oldham Athletic team requires an "overhaul" if they are to compete for a return to the Football League.

Latics still remain in mathematical reach of seventh place with just six points to play for, despite capitulating with a run of just one win in 12 and six points from a possible 27 in their last nine winless games.

After being held to a goalless draw at part-time opponents Oxford City, who have already been relegated back to National League South, Mellon described the job at Boundary Park as the toughest he has experienced in his 16-year managerial career, adding that defeat at Fylde in only his second game in charge highlighted the scale of the task.

"I do genuinely believe, and I would say the same to the players, this needs an overhaul. It needs specialist players in different positions to bring it together," he said.

"It's been really, really tough, I won't lie. We've scrapped and battled and tried to get the most out of what we have and it's been tough at times.

"I feel the whole anger and frustration of everybody, because Oldham should have better teams. That's the bottom line.

"For a wee while now we haven't been able to produce the performances that would have been necessary in order to be in a better position.

"We saw that very early when we first came in the door. I knew early that it's going to need a lot of help, a lot of players that can come in and put in the types of performances that Oldham deserve and that you need on days like this when people stand up.

"We had people running in treacle."

Mellon added: "But this hasn't just been today, and that's not me making excuses.

"When we played Fylde, my second game in charge, I went 'Oh no, we've got a lot to do'. We needed much, much more and we saw it early.

"There are a lot of conversations need to be had and an awful lot to be done."

But Mellon says it will not be as simple as recruitment.

"The majority of this squad were two months into two-year contracts when I came in, in October, so they've still got another year.

"So a lot of honest conversations need to be had, because I know what good looks like. Nobody can even argue with me. Don't go there. I know what good teams operate like and I know what it needs," he said.

"We've got some tough talking to be done because we've kicked a can down the road with a few who have gone out on loan as well and aren't involved today.

"The whole things needs a right good look at.

"I know what good looks like and I know where it is.

"It's a fantastic club with unbelievable owners, the nicest people that you could meet.

"That's what makes it so difficult and hurt so much more. We have a brilliant fanbase, desperate for some kind of success because they haven't had it for 25 years or so. So I feel the frustration for the football club.

"If I get what I need I know where to go and get it.

"But we're halfway through a lot contracts here so it makes it difficult for any kind of wriggle room, so a lot of tough conversations have got to be had. We need to sit down and see where it's all at. But I'm so angry and so deflated, and kind of tired of it.

"It's been a teeth grinder and a toe curler for a while now, and it's deflating."