United coach Brian Hollywood has called for more focus from his squad in the wake of Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing by Bellambi in Wollongong.

Despite losing three key players to injury during the match, United played without purpose and Hollywood concedes that they may have slipped into some bad habits from last season.

“When we’re under pressure or a goal down, we tend to resort to old habits and panic a bit,” he said.

“The boys seem to understand this is happening and that it needs to be fixed but it’s just not happening.

“Last year we got into a losing mentality that when we go down we haven’t got the belief to hit back.”

To make matters worse for United, star players Rod Eagleton (ankle), Martin Drien (groin) and Nathan Donlan will be sidelined for next week’s key clash with Dapto at Renwick.

But despite the side’s second loss in three matches, Hollywood claims the team is not headed for a repeat of last season’s dismal effort.

“The team is definitely improving all the time and we’re starting to see that some of the things we’re working at in training are working on the field,” he said.

“It’s a tough comp and a steep learning curve for some of the younger guys who have trouble coming out and performing at the same level every week.

“Saturday’ s loss will refocus us and rather than drift along at the same level it will force us to have a good look at what we’re doing wrong and how we can fix it.”

United were immediately on the back foot in Saturday’s clash when Bellambi found the back of the net in the first 15 minutes.

A goal on half time and a penalty in the first minute of the second half spelt the end for United but Hollywood said the final score was not a fair indication of the match.

“We played pretty well for most of the game,” he said.

“Craig Hutton had an excellent match and Curtis Campbell played well too.

“But their front two were exceptional and that’s what cost us in the end.”