Despite a fine start to the Premiership season, Harlequins prop Joe Marler is frustrated and wants the team to tighten up in all areas.
Quins were given a real fright on the opening weekend before staging a remarkable comeback at Twickenham against London Wasps and since then both London Welsh and Sale Sharks have been put to the sword.
But with Leicester, the side they beat in last season's Aviva Premiership final, up next Marler is adamant that his side's loose style of play will be punished sooner rather than later.
"I wouldn't say that our good start to the season has surprised us," he said.
"We have had three good results but the overriding feeling at the club is one of frustration because we are not playing anything like as well as we know we can.
"Our game has not clicked just yet, I don't think that comes from being cocky, it's more a case of not hitting the standards that we have set for ourselves.
"So far this season we have been a bit too loose, lots of teams are offloading the ball a lot more this year as the stats bear out but you have to be tight defensively at the right times, we have been trying a bit too much.
"We don't want to stop playing but we need to do it in the right areas.
"We are still buzzing off of last season's success. It's a great feeling to call ourselves Premiership champions.
"But in terms of the way we approach each game it's done and dusted now and we have put it behind us and are focused on getting back to the summit.
"I'm sure everyone is sick of hearing us say it but it's much harder to win something a second time than the first."
Quins' reputation as an expansive attacking side has garnered them plaudits all over the European landscape in the last year.
But it is up front that Conor O'Shea's men have really improved in recent times and with young English talent like Marler and Joe Gray complementing James Johnston and Mark Lambert the future looks bright for the London club.
"At the start of last season we knew we had a reputation as a side that liked to chuck the ball about but if you look at every top side in Europe they all have a fantastic set-piece," added Marler.
"So our focus was on getting that right, being tough up front, and gradually it came good until by the end we felt like we can hold our own with anyone because you won't win anything if you can't front up.
"We know with the backs that we have our job is to give them the ball, and as much good ball as we can and we are happy to get on with our job and let them get on with theirs."
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
Another thing they could do is stop talking to the press like this. Doesn't matter what you say it just makes opponents want to beat you more. The only way to come across as humble and modest is to shut up.
Posted 18:04 19th September 2012