ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon says his side’s ball use will be tested in this week’s match against the Western Bulldogs.

Lyon admits the Saints have been wayward with their disposal so far in 2008 and will have to hit their targets if they are to beat the in-form Dogs.

“The one we have struggled with consistently throughout the course of the year has been winning the ball. We did that three of four quarters last week [against Melbourne] but we come up against a stiffer opposition and we will be challenged in that area,” Lyon said.

Lyon praised the Bulldogs, who beat the Saints in round three.

“They are the red hot team of the competition. We have to recognise they are in wonderful form. They’ve just beaten another top team in Hawthorn. I was down there watching and they competed incredibly hard, tackled really well and moved the ball really well. It’s a massive challenge for us but it will be good to benchmark exactly where we’re at,” he said.

Lyon said the key to defeating the Bulldogs was the midfield, where the Saints were severely beaten last time around.

“In the first quarter we won the ball and we moved it quick and then their midfield got on top. Either defence can be good defences but both of them can have goals kicked against them if it is coming out of the midfield quickly,” he said.

Lyon said last week’s thumping of Melbourne had given his players a bit of a spark that he was hoping they could go on with.

“The last three weeks have been interesting. We thought we put on a solid performance against Collingwood but didn’t get the points and obviously disappointing in Brisbane but to come back and regroup under a lot of pressure … was important to our self-belief, to get a bit of bubble about the place.”