STAR Bomber Zach Merrett is sure coach John Worsfold's message is getting through to the players despite Essendon's dismal start to 2018.

The Bombers began the season hoping to return to the finals after last year's elimination final exit and on the back of three experienced recruits were tipped to rise up the ladder.

However, they have won just two games, lost their past four and six of their past seven and sit 15th on the ladder after eight rounds.

Pressure is mounting on the club, which re-signed Worsfold to a two-year contract extension in March, particularly after losing to the previously winless Carlton on Saturday, but Merrett said the West Coast premiership coach had the players' backing.

"He's a very consistent guy and as a coach he's very level-headed. He hasn't wavered in terms of his professionalism over the last four weeks, he's as disappointed as we are to have dropped the games we have, but I've got full support in 'Woosha'," Merrett said.

Having been an attacking side last year, Essendon is stuck in a scoring drought so far this season, passing the 100-point barrier just once and averaging only 12 goals a game.

The Bombers started the season with high hopes of improving their defensive mechanisms without compromising their scoring power but have failed on both counts. Merrett said there had not been a significant change in game-plan from 2017 but instead players were just underperforming.

"It's been a pretty disappointing month. To lose four games in a row is never fun and the way we've played hasn't been up to scratch. We need to bounce back and try to get the four points, but also play the way we want to play," he said.

"You want to be ruthless and hard to play against and that hasn't been our way the last four weeks. We've got to get back to tackling hard and chasing hard – it seems simple, but it's the way we've got to get back to playing."

Merrett also hasn't hit the heights of his previous two seasons, which saw him win the club's best and fairest in 2016 and last year claim his first All Australian jumper after averaging 30 disposals a game.

This season the 22-year-old has been tagged by the opposition most weeks and kept out of games, including last weekend's loss to the Blues, when he managed just 16 touches and a goal. He admits it has been a new challenge. 

"It's been a bit different to my previous two. I'm getting some really good opportunities to learn and develop as a player, understanding it's probably going to happen most weeks now," Merrett said.

"That's a fun experience and something I've got to learn to deal with as well and still have a big impact and influence on the game with my teammates.

"I've spoken to a number of people who are really experienced in that area and it's something that's going to take a bit of time as well. I'd love to go out there and be best on [ground] every week, but it's going to take time and I'm certainly putting in the work during the week to get better. Hopefully the results will slowly change."

Essendon plays Geelong on Saturday in its now annual 'Country Festival' clash with the Cats.