That is more or less the message from Otago Volts coach Josh Tasman-Jones.
His side have slumped to four consecutive losses to start the season.
"It's disappointing from a result perspective," Tasman-Jones said.
"But the boys are playing a lot of good cricket for big portions of the game.
"We've had moments when we just let ourselves down, unfortunately."
Otago have struggled with the bat in particular.
They could muster only 206 first up against Canterbury and lost by six wickets.
They rolled Auckland for 232 at Eden Park Outer Oval but slumped to 137 all out in reply.
Central Districts were restricted to 233 for eight at the University Oval, but the Volts stumbled and fell short by seven runs.
And in their last outing against Wellington, they posted just 227, which was perhaps 30 or 40 runs shy of a par total.
They have bowled quite well, though.
Right-arm quick Jarrod McKay has been the pick of the Otago seamers. He has nabbed eight wickets at an average of 17.50 and an economy rate of 4.01.
Medium pacer Matt Bacon (seven at 24.28) and left arm spinner Ben Lockrose (seven at 24.57) have had some good moments.
"The bowlers have done a good job for the most part. Obviously, you don't want to put it all on the batsmen.
"I feel like we can always improve on both sides.
"But, yeah, more often than not, you’d back yourself to chase 230, 220 in a one-day game nowadays."
Otago will have the opportunity to register a breakthrough win when they play Northern Districts at Mount Maunganui today.
Tasman-Jones has stuck with the same group of players and is optimistic they can turn the results around.
"We're not too far away. It's just finishing touches and making sure the boys stay positive and still keep backing themselves.
"That is the key at the moment.
"We’re just losing a few too many wickets too early."
Max Chu and new recruits Troy Johnson and Jack Boyle have given glimpses of their potential this season, but have not been able to kick on and post a bigger score, so crucial in a chase or setting up a target.
In the other games, Canterbury host Central Districts in a top-of-the-table match, and Wellington are at home to Auckland.
The list A competition will hit pause after the latest round of games and resume in early February.
Otago will have a run of four home fixtures in their last five round-robin games. That will present them with an opportunity to get back into the competition.
Typically, five wins have been the benchmark to secure a top-three playoff spot.
Ford Trophy, Mount Maunganui, 10.30am
Otago team
Jack Boyle, Jamal Todd, Max Chu, Thorn Parkes, Llew Johnson, Troy Johnson, Luke Georgeson (captain), Ben Lockrose, Thomas O’Connor, Matt Bacon, Jarrod McKay, Zac Cumming.
Standings
Canterbury 14
Central Districts 14
Wellington 12
Auckland 10
Northern Districts 5
Otago 0
Leading scorer
Henry Nicholls (Canterbury) 291 runs at 97
Leading wicket-taker
Josh Clarkson (Central Districts) 16 at 8.75
