Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter says he is concerned about last season’s Absa Premiership and the Nedbank Cup winner’s loss of form.

By their own lofty standards, the past few weeks have been rather nightmarish for Amakhosi. They suffered a loss against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 followed by a league draw to Moroka Swallows and this the weekend SuperSport United added to their woes.

Baxter has urged his players to get their act together.

For the first time since the Englishman took over the reins at Naturena, Chiefs look average. They lacked any fight when United made a remarkable comeback to win the match 3-1 on Saturday.

Baxter has denied that anything was wrong with the tactics employed on the night. The loss came due to his players’ inability to follow instructions, particularly the newly introduced “three towers” defence of Morgan Gould, Tefu Mashamaite and Erick Mathoho.

“My players must realise that they are defending champions and teams are not going to let them get away with murder,” Baxter said.

“The stakes are high and I am glad that the leaks are showing now so that we can fix them at this time of the season. Against United, we started well but allowed them back into the game in the second half and when they scored the equaliser it was clear that mentally we were not up for the challenge.”

And with teams like Bidvest Wits, Mamelodi Sundowns, Moroka Swallows and current pace-setters United showing signs of developing into strong challenegers, Baxter says the fans will now see a different team.

The former Bafana Bafana coach’s first priority will be to work on their lack of pace, especially at the back. Chiefs midfield have also failed to assert themselves this season. Chief destroyer Willard Katsande has now become a regular in the referee books and that too is a concern for Baxter.

But if the Glamour Boys are to show signs of revival in their bid to defend their title then the likes of George Lebese, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Mandla Masango must improve their game.

Unlike last season when the goals were flowing in, Bernard Parker still remains the man trusted with scoring goals while serious questions are being asked over the decision to bring back Knowledge Musona from Germany.

Only time will tell but there is no doubt that the once unstoppable Amakhosi are now struggling to reach the heights of the previous campaign.

As Maritzburg United loom in two weeks Baxter and charges still have a lot of work to do.