NATHAN Delfouneso is getting tired of the chase in League Two.

Wanderers have spent 10-and-a-half hours trailing their opponents this season, a total which is only exceeded by the sides currently in the relegation zone, Southend and Grimsby, plus Scunthorpe United.

Ian Evatt’s side have developed a frustrating habit of playing their best football after falling behind in games, perfectly illustrated by Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Crawley.

Delfouneso sees no tactical reason why that has been so often the case – and believes the players must accept responsibility for not switching on quickly enough in certain games.

“I know teams are coming out fast against us,” he said. “It’s down to us to adapt to it, and we shouldn’t be surprised any more.

“When you go out on to the pitch they make sure we have all the information we could possibly need so it’s all down to us.

“We should be prepared for any team but it has to be better, no two ways about it, we can’t be giving teams a head start. We are making it so much harder for ourselves.

“I think we’ve shown great character to get back into some games. It shows what the team is made of, and that is a positive. But we shouldn’t be putting ourselves into that situation in the first place, so it’s something we need to sort quickly.

“We can’t start playing after going a goal down, or two down, the stamp has to be put on the game quickly.”

Wanderers have just under a week to prepare for their next scheduled league game against Exeter City – with their opponents due to face Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The season is not yet at its halfway stage and Delfouneso reckons the team has yet to its full potential.

Inconsistency and errors have been the hallmark of the first 21 games but the experienced striker is adamant that Wanderers can still correct their course and challenge for a place in the play-offs.

“We’re starting to get towards the second half of the season now, the nitty-gritty, so we need to get ourselves going properly,” he said.

“It’s difficult to say exactly why it has happened.

“The only thing that has been consistent this season is that we have caused our own downfall, things have been self-inflicted.

“Mistakes have been avoidable. And if we are going to achieve what we want, we have got to put it right. I do think there is enough time to do it, there’s a lot of points to play for.

“I’m not pointing at one particular area of the team, it has to be a collective. As a team we have to try and cut down those problems in games.”