London Irish director of rugby Nick Kennedy has warned his side they must improve their defence if they are to secure top-flight status for next season.
It has been a disappointing return to Premiership rugby for the Exiles, who suffered their fifth successive defeat when they went down 28-27 to Leicester on Saturday.
Kennedy also bemoaned the fact that his side do not start well and give themselves too much to do in trying to get back into the game.
"We switched off in the first half of a game yet again," Kennedy told BBC Sport. "If we keep doing that, we're not going to win many games."
Irish have conceded an average of more than 25 points per game this season and Kennedy is letting his players in no uncertain terms just how he feels about their leaky defence.
"We keep giving ourselves a mountain to climb," Kennedy said.
"It was a bit smaller to climb this week, but it's the same points for us that we need to address.
"The boys showed excellent heart to play until the 82nd-minute to get the losing bonus point.
"But, the scoreboard doesn't lie. We deserve to have lost the five games we have.
"We were the worst side the last time we were in the Premiership and we know we still haven't got enough improvement from the aspects of our game we've been working on."
Irish now face Edinburgh and Stade Francais in the opening two rounds of the European Challenge Cup before returning to Premiership action at Saracens on Saturday, 28 October.
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