Clear the air talks have been held between Bermuda Hogges' coaches and players in an attempt to get to the core of their stunning loss against Richmond Kickers.

The candid meeting was staged earlier this week and saw both parties speak honestly and directly with each other in the wake of the 7-1 capitulation.

Hogges president Shaun Goater called the urgent get-together in an effort to decipher just why the Hogges continually crumble after falling behind – and admitted to losing sleep following the humiliating defeat

Sunday's hefty reverse at home was not the first time the Hogges have folded after conceding this season, with the team suffering a 5-1 thumping at league strugglers Wilmington Hammerheads last week.

"I did lose sleep after our defeat against the Kickers and decided to call a meeting with the squad to iron a few things out," said Goater. "It proved to be productive and I was very pleased with the response and feedback from the players.

"I feel a lot happier about things now, but it's up to the players to put what we talked about into practice. Our next game against Real Maryland Monarchs is an absolutely huge one for us now.

"We need to learn how to shut up shop when we fall behind because we're still showing signs of amateurism by immediately looking to equalise instead of protecting ourselves."

Goater described the meeting as enlightening from a coach's perspective with the players given ample opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns regarding the team's recent results.

One senior squad member asked the coaches to simplify the way in which they put their messages across, with Goater vowing to re-evaluate his own methods and endeavour to make himself understood.

"As a coach the most interesting part of the meeting was when a senior player told me that sometimes we're explaining things above their level," he said.

"Perhaps I forget that just because something is 'food and drink' for me it won't be for all of our players.

"The player said we need to explain things in a simpler way and that's very important for me and Kyle (Lightbourne) to know."

The Hogges face USL-D2 new-boys Real Maryland Monarchs at the National Sports Centre tomorrow with kick-off at 7 p.m.

Goater has pleaded for patience from the Hogges supporters.

"We realise how disappointing Sunday's result was and we ask our supporters to stick with us," he said.

"We thank them for their patience and I ensure them we're all working hard to improve on our recent results.

"It's been a difficult few weeks with our players coming back from national team duty, but that's no excuse for our latest defeat."