After their worst start to an A-League season in 11 years, Sydney FC coach Steve Corica admits the entire side must improve defensively ahead of a tough away trip to Melbourne City.
The 3-0 hammering by Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night followed a disappointing 2-0 loss to Melbourne Victory in round one at home.
The Sky Blues have only lost the opening two matches of an A-League season once before, more than a decade ago in 2012-13.
Next week they play defending premiers City away on Friday night, so the task only gets harder.
Leftback Joel King (calf) should return from injury but they will still be without English central defender Jack Rodwell (hamstring).
Corica said his side "gave away the ball too cheaply" against the Roar, who could easily have scored six or seven goals if they had been more ruthless.
The Sky Blues, who won the Australia Cup final against Brisbane earlier this month, were extremely slow in transition to defence and the Roar made them pay. It is not a luxury City will allow either if Sydney repeat that slackness next week.
"It is a team effort from the front to the back," Corica said.
"It is not just the back four we are talking about. In the Cup run we were all defending and working hard for each other. So far in the first two games it hasn't worked out and we've got to work on that obviously."
Corica reiterated that hard work was the key, not just personnel, although the defenders missing have left huge holes.
"Jack would help. He's a great defender, a good leader and good in the air," he said.
"Joel King has been a big part of our success over the years and we are missing him...but the team has to work harder in general to keep clean sheets.
"Joel should be back next week and that is a positive."
Corica wasn't hitting the panic button but pressure mounts on a club like Sydney after consecutive losses at any time.
"It is not a great start. It is very disappointing, especially after the run we had in the (Australia) Cup," Corica said.
"It is two games in. It is early. It is not doom and gloom but it is pretty bad obviously.
"We have a tough test against City away next week. It is not going to be easy, but we need to do it. It's as simple as that."
