Hey Esme, could you introduce challenges / games as part of the game, which if they achieve would give them a sense of winning? So for example, if they score X goals or make X passes or make X challenges they get X points. And you can reward them in your own way. Changing this focus may also help improve performance and over time may result in closing the gap / even winning. Hope that helps. 

Hi Esmé. 

Building confidence is tough, especially when players do focus on results. I used to coach a team in a similar situation. Praise the small achievements and continually reinforce those positives you hold high as a coach.

Maybe agree a philosophy and style of play, and reward progress to this goal both at training and matches. My team only won 1 game the season I was with them. At half time in that game we said keep the lead up and it's McDonald's milkshakes for everyone on the way home. At that season's presentation evening when the manager announced our team had won their first game this season just days before, the roof came off the building. Those moments are priceless.

In times like these it's really important to remind them why they starting playing football.  Give training a technical edge and challenge players to do their own homework and look at how they could personally develop. Run competitions like keeps ups or who can master round the world or something silly that is good for technique.

Don't be afraid to ask for help either, it's tough on your own.

Keep up the good work Esmé.

1. Rich