Valley made the final last season but has recorded just one win in the opening round of the tournament.
The campaign got off to a disappointing start with a 30-point loss to Old Boys followed by a 20-point defeat by Kurow.
There was heartbreak in week three when Maheno secured a tense 17-14 win.
Valley responded with a 27-23 win against Excelsior but was beaten 38-19 by Athletic last weekend.
It has left the club's title prospects in a precarious spot and it has a tough assignment tomorrow against undefeated Old Boys.
"Unfortunately, we've had a couple of injuries in the season and a couple of boys have moved on with work commitments," McKenzie said.
"And we just need to gel."
The training sessions have not been that well attended either, he added. And the big hope, English pivot Dan Lewis, pulled his hamstring last weekend and will miss the next couple of weeks.
But Jake Greenslade has returned from a stint overseas and will help fill the void.
He was missing during the opening round and is expected to have an impact, either on the side of the scrum or at hooker.
"He will get us some front-foot ball and he is a strong tackler. He is one of those guys who will make a tackle which will make the team all step up and play."
McKenzie, who is in his sixth season with the club, felt his side was capable of stringing together better performances.
With Lewis injured, the 27-year-old building labourer will have to move from his preferred role at fullback to first five-eighth.
"I definitely prefer fullback but I'm a club person, so I'll play where I need to be played."
It was not just a platitude either. His grandfather, father and two uncles played for Union, which merged with two other clubs to form Valley, so there really was no other club he could play for if he wanted to be welcomed back at the dinner table.
He has also followed his family into the North Otago team, making "about five" appearances for the Old Golds.
"I think I'm about the seventh McKenzie to play for North Otago," he said.
"There is granddad, my father, my uncle Norm, my uncle John, my uncle Bill and [my cousin] Hamish and then there is me."