Club in rebuilding stage: Simpson
Kalgoorlie coach Brendon Simpson says the group's winless start to the Goldfields Football League campaign had not had an impact on morale, ahead of a clash with first-placed Mines Rovers tonight.
After three successive grand final appearances, the Roos are in a rebuilding phase which Simpson labelled "starting at level zero."
"Morale is very, very high and the win-loss column is having no bearing on the players because we have a lot further to come as a group than just wins and losses," he said.
"We're rebuilding and if you genuinely want to rebuild, it's like starting at level zero.
"I'm under no illusions - yes, people want to see the club winning, but unfortunately you can't win all the time and you go through different phases with your playing group."
Simpson, who led the black and whites into last season's grand final and is a former WA Football League assistant-coach with Peel, said he was doing his best to arrest a five-game losing sequence.
"I'm coaching to the best of my ability, which I think is pretty good, and the group is with me and right behind me," he said.
"I don't feel any different pressure than I normally do - I always strive for the best, but perfection doesn't come easily.
"If you don't feel pressure when you're coaching, then you probably shouldn't be in the game and I'm feeling the same as last season when we were near the top of the ladder."
Kalgoorlie have made four changes, with Matt Battye, Nick Black, Rick Butterfield and midfield recruit Rowen McDonnell in for Wade Spooner, Matt Farac, Chris Wyatt and Dylan McRae.
McDonnell was cleared to Kalgoorlie this week from the WA Amateurs.
In Mines Rovers' camp, Luke Nugent and Travis Holmwood will have fitness tests as they battle ankle strains.
On last weekend's first loss, players-coach Dion Fleay said the even nature of the competition meant the squad had to be switched on at all times.
"You have to bring your A-Game every weekend," he said.
"If you don't, you'll be found wanting.
"That was part of the reason last weekend (in a loss to Boulder), when we took too long to snap into gear and initially, maybe the boys thought they could show up and things would automatically go their way."
