Bermuda head coach John Barry Nusum has highlighted the flaws that led to the Gombey Warriors’ heavy 5-2 defeat against hosts St Lucia in the Concacaf Nations League on Tuesday night.

The former Philadelphia KiXX forward’s search for a first win since replacing Canadian Michael Findlay at the helm continues after his team’s technical and physical shortcoming and inexperience were ruthlessly exposed by a rampant St Lucian side.

“Difficult loss to take, but I think we need to focus on competing, and focus on battling in 1v1 situations and tracking runners,” Nusum told The Royal Gazette.

“They exposed that last night and there was also probably a bit of naivety from our young team. But we definitely have to be better at bringing the fight and earning the right to be able to play football through the physicality and just winning your individual battles.

“Missing our centre back and our right back through suspension definitely didn’t help the situation. But we definitely need to battle better and as a coaching staff get our team prepared for the battle a little bit better as well.”

Nusum also allayed injury concerns over striker Nahki Wells, who was substituted in the 90th minute just moments after going down with a suspected knee injury.

“Nahki felt a little bit of tightness in his legs as well so we made that sub at the end, but he is fine,” Nusum said.

Nusum made five changes to the starting XI, with Brighton Morrison and Emeer Peets replacing the suspended Jorj Dublin and Lejaun Simmons. Zeiko Lewis, Justin Donawa and Nahki Wells were preferred to Sincere Hall, Luke Robinson and Djair Parfitt.

Bermuda’s chances of qualifying for the Gold Cup already look slim after suffering losses in their opening two League B Group B matches against Guadeloupe and hosts St Lucia.

The Gombey Warriors are bottom of the table and are the only team without a point after Barbados drew 2-2 with top seeds Guadeloupe on Tuesday night.

Bermuda are now hoping for better fortunes in a double-header against Barbados on Friday and Monday to stave off any potential threat of relegation.

“We play two more games in Barbados so we have the chance to right the ship again, which is a good thing to get back to it and get back to work,” Nusum said.

The four group winners will automatically advance to the Gold Cup, with the two best runners-up entering the Gold Cup preliminary round.

Group winners will also be promoted to League A of the Nations League, while fourth-place finishers will be relegated to League C.

Under former coach Kyle Lightbourne, Bermuda made their debut at the 2019 Gold Cup, where they bowed out at the group stage after suffering 2-1 defeats by Costa Rica and Haiti before a 2-0 win over Nicaragua capped an outstanding campaign.