Following the Saints’ disappointing loss on Monday night to Carlton, Ross Lyon and the rest of the St Kilda coaching panel are looking to bounce back for their match against Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

“There has been a solid review this week and (we) have identified areas that we had let slip.”

“It’s sharpened our mindset and focus, and we are working really diligently to prepare for Round 8. It’s about this week and preparing to come out at our fiercest and see where that takes us.”

Highlighting the main issues that came out of the match against the Blues, Ross is expecting the team to step up and work together over the six day break.

“It’s a real test for our group- coaches and players together. We’ve been challenged but haven’t been able to overcome the challenge this time.”

“We want to be aggressive, we want to get after the ball and win it really well - which is how we should play Saints Footy.”

Despite Essendon winning two matches so far this season, Lyon is not taking anything away from the fight and aggression that the Bombers have shown this season.

“It will certainly be a challenge (for us). They’ve been competing fiercely. Their tackle count has really gone up and they have been in a number of close games.”

“You’ve got to really respect the competition and every opponent. I think that is what has really changed since last year - the evenness of the competition and how hard it is.”

Still facing a number of issues regarding the goal kicking ability of the team, Lyon explained; “We don’t shy away from the fact that we would like to score more.”

“I thought on the weekend we took a step forward. We had a number of opportunities; we missed some really easy ones however, which is unlike us in front of goal.”

But Lyon does not concede that it is the forward line that has been letting down the team, admitting that the Saints have been lacking aggression all over the field.

“It’s a total package. We know you need to be top four in attack, defence and contests to be a good team. And that’s what we’ve been for a long time. We need to gather ourselves and keep working hard.”

“We’re not going to neglect competing fiercely and hunting the opposition.”

After Steven King suffered a minor hamstring injury near the end of Monday night’s game, the match committee will be considering a number of possible changes in the side who are set to meet Essendon on Sunday.

“We’re certainly looking at making some other changes; there are a few (players) under pressure.”

Needing a tall replacement for King, Lyon has given his support to young Ben McEvoy, who has played two senior games so far this year.

“McEvoy has a lot of runs on the board, and as long as he is fit and healthy I think he deserves to be named this weekend. We like having the dual ruckman, and Koschitzke can go through there too, which means Gardiner, McEvoy and Koschitzke can also rotate up forward.”

“However, we still have to make the final decision at match committee at the end of the week.”

With the first third of the season already behind him, Lyon is still confident on the ability of his team to get back to their best.

“We’re in really good shape. I expect us to be in pretty good nick for this weekend, and we are.”

“We’re a proud group, we’re fit and healthy and we’ve got not excuses.”