The Tigers lost their first nine games of 2010 under Damien Hardwick but have made steady improvements since, including making an impressive start to 2012.
Neeld saw Richmond defeat Hawthorn on Saturday and does take heart from its journey.
"[It's] certainly not lost on me that two years ago they were in exactly the same position as what we are now," Neeld said after the loss to Carlton on Sunday.
Neeld said he was pleased with the effort of his group against Carlton. The Demons were competitive for three quarters and only trailed the Blues by 16 points at the last break.
If it wasn't for some costly errors throughout the game, it may have been even closer.
"I wasn't disappointed with our work rate. I thought as a group we all ... worked pretty hard and we were quite happy with the style of footy we played for the most part," Neeld said.
"We got in an arm wrestle for three quarters and we could not go with Carlton in the last quarter."
The improvement until that point was clear as Melbourne matched Carlton on the inside 50 count - it had the worst differential in the AFL for inside 50s going into the game - despite being smashed around the stoppages.
In the end it recorded 50 inside 50s to Carlton's 59 but lost the clearance count 25 to 53. It was the first time this season Melbourne has recorded 50 inside 50s.
But Neeld was hardly doing backflips.
"We got taught a lesson at the stoppages," Neeld said. "We were a bit reactionary at times and then on a few other occasions we just got beaten by some better players in a bit better form than our boys are in."
One player out of form is last year's best and fairest winner and clearance specialist Brent Moloney. He managed just 13 disposals and five clearances on Sunday and is playing like a shadow of his former self.
Neeld is not 100 per cent sure how to kick-start Moloney but he defended the midfielder's work rate.
"He's working really hard and eventually those things turn," Neeld said. "It's not work rate, effort or a lack of trying. He's doing all those things. He's just not in great nick."
Co-captain Jack Trengove is also in a form slump and recorded just two touches in the first half. But Neeld said he saw signs in the second half that he was turning things around.
"He should be able to take a bit more confidence into next week from an offensive point of view because the difference between his second and first half ... was a fair bit," Neeld said.
One player who has been consistent all year is Nathan Jones. He conceded the week had been draining but did not use it as an excuse.
"We're all being challenged as a group," Jones said.
