Western Sydney boss Marko Rudan has conceded the Wanderers' off-field distractions may be partly to blame for his side's slide down the A-League Men table.
After being one of the early contenders for the premiership, the Wanderers are clinging on to a spot in the top six after Friday's 3-1 loss to Western United.
The Red and Black Bloc (RBB), the club's active supporter group, boycotted the game after heavy-handed security and policing at the previous week's derby.
Their symbolic gesture came after a month when Rudan ignited a public feud with Football Australia and the Australian Professional Leagues which led to him receiving a sideline ban.
In the time since then, Rudan's side have just one win in their last six.
"Maybe (it is a distraction), I hope not," Rudan said.
"We've got a lot of young ones and it's been a learning for them, it's been a tough month for us as a club.
"I can't control what goes on outside and I can't really control how they think.
"Those little things are starting to creep in and the snowball gets bigger and bigger.
"It's about going back to basics - we've got a good side but right now when things aren't going your way then the little things start to go against you."
The Wanderers boss refused to blame their recent struggles on forward Brandon Borrello, who has not found the back of the net since his return from a broken foot.
His side have a chance to rectify things with Tuesday's trip to Melbourne City but Rudan warned their efforts would have to lift drastically if they were to strengthen their hopes of a top-six finish.
"We were pretty lethargic today and that's what disappointing," Rudan said.
"I think physically, we haven't looked ourselves for a few weeks now.
"I've got to find a solution to that and question and challenge that situation.
"You can't have a team come away from home, whose left back has been out for a long time and yet he's getting up and down the field for fun."
Rudan welcomed back Swedish import Marcus Antonsson from a ligament injury but will be without Brazilian captain Marcelo due to a suspension against City.
