MELBOURNE coach Mark Neeld said the Demons have had some confronting discussions in the wake of Saturday's 101-point loss to the Sydney Swans.
 
But he remains confident the wheel will turn.
 
Admitting that at times during the game there were some disturbing efforts from some players, he said the club remained focused on behaviours and actions that would lead to long-term change.
 
While criticism of the club's performance has been fierce this week and Neeld's game style has been questioned, the coach said there were many issues that still had to be addressed that weren't related to on-field identity.
 
"[I] make no apologies on placing a value on contested ball and being able to tackle the opposition," Neeld said.

"I don't think that blurs into what a game style is. [In] last year's finals and the finals before that and the finals probably for the last umpteen years there is every chance the team that goes OK put a value on contested ball and the ability to put pressure on the opposition."
 
Neeld did not name any names but said there were several players who were disappointed in their efforts during Saturday's game.

"And so they should be," he said.
 
Neeld said despite the backward step taken on Saturday, the group would not shy away from following the long-term vision.
 
"If we jump from scoreboard to scoreboard and make short-term reactions, the chances of having sustained change for the better diminish," said Neeld. 

However, he said the team was not as far away from playing well as outsiders seemed to believe.
 
"The wheel will turn. It always does," said Neeld.
 
He also indicated that despite the disappointing start, the whole club was well aware of the transition process and would stay the journey.
 
"We knew there were going to be changes and challenges and we were really open and honest with the whole club that it might be the case that there will be some short-term pain but this is the way we want to go about it," Neeld said.

"This is the where we see the club moving to. This is the type of player that we want. This is the type of behaviours that are all part of it."
 
Keeping the club informed was a bigger concern to Neeld than the criticism and scrutiny, however he said he took relevant information on board and was learning all the time.
 
"I've got a whole heap of work I've got to do with regards to getting better, me personally, and coaching the players and working with assistant coaches," said Neeld. 

"You know it is going to be heavily scrutinised but until you are in any position you don't know what it is going to be like. There is a fair bit on but that is part of being a senior coach."