He believes a recurring inability to defend balls into the box and a chronic failing to take crucial chances – as shown yet again in Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Beith – has entirely undermined the team's efforts this season.

With the league seemingly splitting into a 'top-half, bottom-half', Richardson also fears that leaves Rabs in a relegation battle.

He said: "The 18-yard box is where games are won and lost. Yes, before Saturday we had gone 10 games unbeaten but there were too many draws.

"I know why we've not pushed on from last year and it's why we are where we are in the league.

"We're no better or no worse than any other club from penalty box to penalty box, but this year our failings are in each box.

"I could go through a whole host of games where we've not been dealing with the first or second ball into the box. Our defending as a team has been poor.

"We're not taking chances – and I'm not just blaming the forwards for that because that's too easy.

"I feel this year, more than any other year, the league has spilt itself into two.

"The teams at the top half are more clinical and at the other end are throwing bodies at the ball and blocking it.

"It doesn't look like we've done enough to stretch into that top split, so that means we are in a relegation battle."

This Saturday, Rob Roy travel to Ayrshire to play Kilbirnie Ladeside (kick-off 1.45pm).

Richardson added: "The next two games are vital, but then the next 11 games are vital.

"Everyone talks about Kilbirnie as a 'football team' and I'll go along with that.

"We'll need to defend and take our chances."