PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Josh Carr says players and coaches are sticking tough, confident of turning around the side’s poor run of form.

Port Adelaide has lost its last three matches, including a disappointing showing against Brisbane on Saturday at Adelaide Oval.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Carr said the side got it wrong in a lot of areas, but a key focus needed to be improving its work at the contest and around stoppages.

He also discussed his advice to midfielder Zak Butters after he received a fourth fine from the Match Review Officer, and the ongoing reports of a coaching succession plan at Alberton.

Josh Carr on the review of Saturday’s game against Brisbane:

“We've been over the review and obviously, coming out that game, I think (the main thing) is the disappointment and we're not on our own, we understand that the fans are disappointed with that performance, and rightfully so. But that doesn't make it any different on how we feel as coaches and players, we're all super disappointed in the game. In all areas of our game, we felt that we let ourselves down. So, we've been over the review, as coaches, and for us, really, it's getting back to some basics in the way that we play starting from the contest and the stoppage, which has been down the last few weeks. So, you know getting that right, getting a bit of territory in the front half and, and getting some good pressure on the footy and making it hard to play against.

“It sounds obviously simple and there's probably been a lot of players individually that have been down a bit and down on confidence. The best way to do that is obviously to stick tough as a team and if it means winning ugly, then that's what we'll do to get ourselves going again.”

Josh Carr on what went wrong against the Lions:

“We came up against a very good team, you know, the form that they're in is probably up there with the best in the competition. We were probably on the back foot and pretty vulnerable really against a good opposition. As I said as far as where it went wrong, it went wrong in a lot of areas, but I guess the simplicity of it all is it starts around the contest and stoppage and we can fix that and give our forwards a good look at it, but also taking the pressure of our defensive group.”

Josh Carr on the perception players were lacking effort on Saturday:

“I think it's easy to come out of those games and question it, but what you forget, and as coaches we can easily question effort and you do at times, is individually players can be going through their own battles. Sometimes it looks like it's not there, but it's probably a bit of confidence in those individuals. So there's no doubt the players come off and they're exhausted, and they're not feeling great but it's for us to show them what that it is when supporters question effort to individuals you can show it and know usually it means there’s a little bit going on in their own heads about where they're at. For us, it's being able to make that really clear for those individuals about what their game looks like, what their best looks like, and then what's not acceptable. It’s probably as simple as that. They never not see it, you know, players will see the good and the bad all the time.”

Josh Carr on who has played well and who needs to improve in the side:

“I don't think we're in a stage right now where I need to single out individuals good and bad. For us, it's collective, it's us as a team. It's about how we, as a football club, get ourselves going. We're in a great position. If you look at where we're at, with the form that we're in, and to be sitting in a position that we are, that's the positive, because right now we're not playing like a team that's in the top eight. Things can change. Things can turn around. Three weeks ago, before the Carlton game we were feeling pretty good about ourselves.  I think we're in a good position to go ‘you know, what, we've just got to strip things back a bit for the for the for the players and to be able to get ourselves going’.”

Josh Carr on how it felt to be booed by supporters walking off the ground after the game:

“It's what we do, and I feel like in in some ways it's a part of the package as coaches that you sort of wear it and you know, someone's got to cop the blame. We take that on the chin. Does it disappoint you, as I guess your own team and port people, because at this point, you want to know that we're all on the same page. We're all disappointed, we'll always walk away from a game (like that) disappointed. What we do, as coaches, we walk off the ground disappointed, but you’ve got to come up with the answers and go coach. And so that's what we do.

“It's sport. Everyone is going through different things in their own lives, and we give our supporters something to go to, and maybe something to escape to sometimes. This is everything to them and it's everything to us as well. But, you know, they'd probably feel let down when they come to games and it's hard work out in society right now with money and things like that so you know, they walk away disappointed and it's easy to say rightfully so.They've invested their money and time into it. And they feel like they've been let down, but I can assure them that we're doing everything we can to get ourselves back.”

Josh Carr on whether the drop in form of the side’s midfield is alarming:

“The numbers that have been going against them are the alarming part. But I don't second guess myself. I see it as a challenge. That's why I coach, to go through these times. There's nothing better than coming out the other side. I've been through it before so I'm obviously super confident in turning things around. Sometimes it takes a little bit longer but at the same time, that's why I coach.”

Josh Carr on his relationship with senior coach Ken Hinkley and how they communicate:

“We talk. (We) talk a lot. We get everything out on the table with what's going on with the team. And, you know, as coaches, we're there for each other. We all are. And that's why as a close coaching group, you lean on each other, you challenge each other. I'll challenge Ken with a lot of things, he will challenge me with a lot of things. We’ll argue, but it comes from a place of care and respect. And we come out the other side better.”

Josh Carr on Zak Butters being fined for the fourth time this year for striking:

“I'd like to think that it's probably not going to happen again. He's spoken about being disappointed in that coming up and I guess what it looks like on the outside as well. But he'll be fine.

“We saw the incident. It wasn't bad. I guess it just comes off the back of the week before why it looks disappointing. He's clear and his intentions and everything were right. He wasn't trying to hurt anyone, it was just something that was a reaction that he doesn't even do.

“I’ve got to be careful about what I say because my reputation was not (great as a player) butlook, there's no doubt other clubs look at it and go, we can frustrate him, but at the same time, he had a pretty good game on the weekend. I think what he's going to do is just let the football do the talking.”

Josh Carr on the repeated reports of a coaching succession plan and whether he is the right person for the job:

“I think I've answered a lot in the last year and a half since I've been here. What I do know is everyone here right now is trying to coach well and trying to improve this group. I don't think really there's much else that I really need to say.

“There is always a process with anything that ever happens. I’m comfortable with where I'm at right now. I don't expect to walk into anything. What I do know is I'm going to work really hard at what I'm doing right now.”