Nottinghamshire retain faith in their batsmen, but they have been challenged to prove their County Championship credentials against Hampshire.
Notts began the season with a draw against Yorkshire when they had the best of the game, however, they were heavily beaten by Somerset and Essex in their last two outings.
The poor run of form extends into last season, with the team losing seven out of their last 10 Championship games. In that time that time they have been bowled out for less than 200 five times in the first innings.
Director of cricket Mick Newell feels the previous summer has limited relevance on the current side, with three new batsmen in the line-up.
While every batsman contributed in the Royal London One Day Cup at least once, only Joe Clarke has passed three figures in four-day cricket.
Newell believes players retain plenty of belief, but says they need to prove how good they are, starting on the Isle of Wight on Sunday.
"People have said we've not won since last June, but we aren't looking at it like that," he said.
"We shut the door on last season when we stayed up, which was about all we achieved in the Championship.
"Looking at this season, we played really well against Yorkshire and then we were comprehensively outplayed in the next two games.
"The challenge is that we need to get better quickly.
"I don't think players are lacking confidence. Every player has made runs at some point in the 50 over comp.
"We didn't make scores in the last two Championship games, but we feel players have confidence. They have to play better.
"We believe in them as Championship players. They certainly weren't signed as white ball players.
"If you look at people like Joe Clarke, he's got about 13 centuries to his name. We don't want to pigeon hole our players at all.
"The key thing is, have the new players got the fight and the spirit? A lot of their cricket has been in Division Two and it's a big step up.
"I don't see us making big changes. We've got a smaller squad, we feel it's a strong squad. We aren't looking to expand a squad which has 13 or 14 players."
That means Jake Libby is set to be the batsman who misses out again.
Notts will again be without James Pattinson due to a side strain, however, the Australia international is expected to be fit to face Warwickshire in the following fixture.
Stuart Broad has again been made available by England and Jake Ball is likely to replace Zak Chappell.
Paul Coughlin will miss out again with a hamstring injury which is yet to be fully diagnosed, but will keep him out for a number of weeks.
Newell is hoping Luke Fletcher can continue his outstanding form, which included a five wicket haul against Essex.
"Fletch bowled brilliantly through the 50-over comp. He's risen to the challenge around him," he said.
"At Chelmsford, when they were 60 for none, he was unlucky not to get early wickets. Five for was well deserved in the end."
