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Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town head coach Muhsin Ertugral believes his team have a mental block to overcome if they are to return to winning ways.
The experienced Turkish-born took over from Stanley Menzo after the Urban Warriors endured a poor start to the season, returning for his fourth stint at Ikamva.
Ertugral has lost three of his opening four matches at the helm while conceding a half-a-dozen goals as well, but he takes the view that fortunes are improving although work needs to be done.
"There have been some positives, but I think we are a bit naive in defence, especially when the crosses come in, but we are working on that every day," the 58-year-old said.
"We have been conceding a lot from crosses, as the bodies are not open, they do not track the runners. It's always been a bit of a problem, and we drop after losing the ball. Obviously, this is also a bit of a psychological problem.
"The boys are a lot more organised, but the problem for me is entries into the last third, and dropping off [when defending] ... those are two big problems for me.
"But also, a psychological factor in my opinion, which sits in their brain - when they lose the ball, you find them back on their goalline. This is a huge factor, in my opinion."
Ajax welcome Free State Stars to Cape Town Stadium on Friday evening for an Absa Premiership clash.
Kick-off is at 20:00.
