HEAD coach Paul James has labelled Worcester Wolves’ sorry start to the season as “one of the lowest points” in his seven-year tenure at the club.

Wolves have lost five of their first eight games in the British Basketball League and were knocked out of the BBL Cup on Sunday, losing 94-75 to Surrey Scorchers.

James admitted it had been a “frustrating” period for the club, who have finished in the top four in four of their last five seasons under his guidance.

However, the 52-year-old, who took over the reins at Wolves in 2009, insisted the situation was not a “cause for concern” as he is confident there will be “a drastic change in fortunes” once they are back to full strength.

“As far as coaching the team, it’s probably one of the lowest points and the slowest starts we have had but there is a reason for that,” said James, who had just six squad members at his disposal to face Surrey at the weekend.

“I think if we had been at full strength with everybody fit and we had a start like this, it would be cause for concern. But I don’t think things are falling our way.

“So we have just got to weather this storm and try to come through this as best we can and I am sure, once we have got all the pieces together with a fit and healthy group of players, you will see a dramatic change in our fortunes.”

Wolves have stepped up their search to sign “two big men” since forward Deondre McWhorter’s departure last month.

And they were left further short-handed when guard Ashton Khan suffered a bruised heel in a university game in the build-up to the Scorchers clash. “We had disrupted training with Jermel (Kennedy) coming back from illness and then Ashton hurting his heel in a university game,” James said.

“The issue has been well documented about us trying to find two big men, so we had our backs against the wall.

“We had just six guys, essentially, trying to play 40 minutes which is very difficult to do.”

Wolves took an early lead but, once Surrey went ahead, they never looked back in claiming a comfortable victory at the University of Worcester Arena.

“We started off really well but tired badly during the game and Surrey took advantage,” James continued.

“It was frustrating and the guys were frustrated as well as they can’t really play at full capacity.

“We have got very talented players but they are having to play out of position and play way too many minutes than they should be so we can’t get the quality performance we need.”

Worcester are gearing up ahead of their long trip to Scotland to take on Glasgow Rocks on Sunday (5pm).

James added: “Sometimes you have got to take the rough with the smooth. We are going through a tough patch but I am sure we will come through it.”