Manchester United skipper Nemanja Vidic believes if his side can find their defensive form in the coming games, then the future will be more akin to a bed of roses than the one filled with nails that David Moyes has had to endure since taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson.
United have had a torrid time of it in the English Premier League this season, and currently lie 12th after six games.
The loss to West Brom last weekend will still be hurting the players in the dressing room, with that big defeat to Manchester City also probably still in their minds.
Questions have been asked about Moyes' capabilities to run a club with the stature of United, but Vidic remains positive over the side's prospects and believes it is just about getting some of the smaller aspects right.
"We have to accept it has not been a great start," Vidic said. "We have not been getting the performances we would have liked and we also have to be realistic enough to accept we have made some mistakes.
"This team has a lot of potential and we are working really well. Sometimes the results don't come. Sometimes the performances don't come. But I am really positive.
"The most important thing is to defend right. If we defend well, I think we have a really good chance to win trophies."
Moyes has been known for keeping his sides defensively solid first, and worrying about the attacking aspect later. However, this season, neither has worked as well as expected, with the defence probably struggling more than the forwards.
"You don't want to make mistakes two or three times," Vidic added. "That is the main thing. Once you have made one, don't do it again. That is the thing we have to learn.
"The last 10 days have been tough. We lost concentration at certain times, which we shouldn't have allowed. We are doing everything we can. We just have to be patient."
United, who were much-improved in the Champions League 1-1 draw at Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, next face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League, in what really is a must-win game.
"I think this is a more important game," Vidic acknowledged. "We need to get a few wins in a row. The situation is not that bad compared to the teams who you would think will also be competing for the title, or at least the ones who were the favourites.
"We know we have to improve. We know we have to work hard and stick together on the pitch. We did that against Shakhtar and hopefully we can do that over the next few weeks because with that kind of mentality we have a good chance to do well."
