Illawarra stumbled for the fourth time in as many games on the weekend against Melbourne United to slump to a disappointing 5-9 record for the season. 

They had similar struggles at the beginning of last season after starting the campaign with just two wins through seven matches.

However, the Hawks were able to bounce back to take their place in the grand final series against Perth Wildcats.

Beveridge remains adamant his side can do something similar twelve months down the track. 

“We are in a worst situation right now than we were last year there is no doubt about it but we can go on a run,” he said.

“Plenty of teams know that and as long as our guys continue to have faith and belief in the style of game we are going to now play, we are still in this.”

While he has confidence in his team’s ability to bounce back, Beveridge acknowledged his squad would cop increasing scrutiny if they failed to fire.

“At the end of day, I get judged on wins,” he said.

“I don’t get judged on anything else, it is as simple as that. I am not going to buy into any of that.

“I know our players, who they are, how they react. Of course we have to get [wins], that’s all it is about.”

Illawarra have been far from disgraced in their recent defeats, but have still come up empty handed.

They trailed United by as many as 13 points in the third quarter of Saturday’s loss before staging a fourth term fightback to draw back on level terms.

Some class from United import Casper Ware got Melbourne over the line. Despite the result, Beveridge still praised for his troops.

“I am actually proud of our guys because we are not quitting,” he said.

“Right now you look at our situation and we are 5-8 and seventh [coming into the Melbourne game].

“Now he have dropped another game where we are at home and some people will lose faith in us, there is no question about it. It’s human instinct. But our guys are fighting and working so damn hard. We are close.

“We played an incredibly talented team. They’ve come off a great win. They playing with more confidence now. 

“We went down by six, but we missed nine free throws. We missed some real bunnies.

“There were some real crucial times where we missed lay ups and put backs and we just hung in there.”