BLOOMFIELD player-coach Matt Lyons is looking for an improved defensive performance today in his side’s men’s Premier League Hockey match against a Souths team which boasts a dangerous forward line.

The Reds have recorded one win, one loss and one draw from their opening three games, which has come as a disappointment to the Orange side.

Bloomfield have conceded nine goals in those three games and Lyons wants to see the defence tightened, although he was quick to not single out the backs as the reason behind the club’s slow start.

“Our defence has got to pick up a lot and (we need to be) be much smarter in attack,” Lyons said.

“It’s just general marking, a few soft goals, and then also in attack we’re taking some silly options, so it’s not just them (defence).”

Lyons knows they will have a tough time of it at the back today at the Orange Hockey Centre, with Souths boasting talented forwards like Daniel Carter.

“They’ve got a pretty hot forward line, so that’s where the defence comes in again,” he said.

Souths are on a roll at the moment, having won three games in succession following a disappointing opening-round loss.

They sit in second, eight points ahead of fifth-placed Bloomfield, so Lyons thinks this will be a good test to see whether his side is worthy of a spot in the top five.

“It will be very tough for us. We haven’t got off to the best start, so this will be a good test to see where we sit in the competition,” Lyons said.

Bloomfield meet Souths at the Orange Hockey Centre at 2.35pm today.

In other games, Orange CYMS travel to Parkes to take on the Magpies, while Dubbo face Lithgow Zig Zag.

Lithgow Panthers also host Parkes Redbacks, with St Pat’s having the bye after the competition had a week off last Saturday.