With two games left in the third round, Waterhouse now sit fifth in the standings, precariously close to the drop zone in which the bottom six teams will play to avoid relegation in the fourth round.
Fairclough, who returned to Waterhouse near the end of the first round, spurring the Drewsland men from 10th to being second round champions, yesterday said the effort took its toll and their woes were compounded by the signing of three key players to Joe Public of Trinidad and Tobago as well as the absence of seven starters, who were summoned to a three-week national training camp in Brazil.
"What is on my mind now is to get 50 points at the end of the third round to stay in the top six and give it our best shot from there," said Fairclough, who led Waterhouse to the Premiership title two seasons ago, chasing a 13-point deficit in the standings.
It was almost déjà vu near the end of the second round when Fairclough took over from Peruvian Danilo Barrigo as Waterhouse mowed down everything in their path on way to lifting the second- round title as well as reaching the final of the aborted Jackie Bell Knockout against Harbour View.
Tactical awareness
"Having to muster a lot of courage, physical and tactical awareness to get back into the top three took a toll," he admitted yesterday.
"We had to move out of relegation from ninth position in the first round. We had to stay competitive and win as many games as possible. We did it to win the second round and that took its toll on us physically.
"The wear and tear, in the third round, to play that hard and be competitive, we're now seeing the end product. We peaked and our concentration waned. That second round took everything out of us."
Fairclough added: "We played a lot of game, the mid-season final, Jackie Bell semis and final plus Premier League games between. While a lot of teams were resting, we were playing.
"We did not have rest period. At times, we played four games in eight days."
The absence of top striker Kevin Lamey, captain Irvino English and another capable scorer, Brian Wollaston, also handicapped Waterhouse.
"Lamey was injured for a while and English had to keep the team together. His forward movements were curtailed. He had to stay in the defensive unit.
Kevin Lamey (left) and Irvino English now playing for Joe Public in Trinidad and Tobago. - File photos
"Normally Lamey would have been upfront and English could come up more in midfield. He had to be doing both roles and not going forward," Fairclough noted.
Wollaston left on loan to St Georges in January before joining Lamey and English, who afterward signed for Joe Public of Trinidad and Tobago.
"We had forwards, who were not scoring goals," Fairclough lamented. "The loss of those three dealt us a hard blow then seven people went to Brazil and that was just too much for us.
"They were the core of our team. That contributed a lot to our present position but I still believe the players on the fringes gave a good account of themselves," added Fairclough, whose team has only won a single third-round match so far.
Leon Strickland was brought in from Arnett Gardens to replace Lamey but is yet to score a Premiership goal.
"He has not been as prolific as he was with Arnett," said Fairclough. "He has not scored in a league game. He came in to boost our goalscoring prowess. There were three other persons and we selected him.
"I'm not saying he's the reason why we are doing badly but we thought he would have done it. We just have to give him more time. It's Jonathan Williams, who has been scoring the brunt of our goals and he's not a forward," Fairclough said.
Leon Strickland .. is yet to score a Premier League goal for Waterhouse. - File photos
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