James Hird is well placed to lead the Bombers from their run of losses according to former teammate Matthew Lloyd.

The Essendon Coach acknowledged yesterday that an increase in scrutiny is only natural when the team is losing games and Lloyd agrees. 

“Unfortunately that’s just the nature of the beast,” he said. 

“I was part of a team that lost seven games in a row and until you win a game of football or compete better, the spotlight will be on you.

“Damien Hardwick was being questioned, he won four games straight and a month later everyone is talking about what a good coach he is.” 

Hird and Lloyd were teammates for 13 seasons. 

They were key figures in the 2000 premiership season with Lloyd winning the Coleman medal and Hird the Norm Smith Medal that year.

“He is the most competitive person that I’ve ever played with and probably ever met,” Lloyd said.

“He’s a very strong, resilient person.

“He’s got an amazing thirst for work rate.”

Hird has a 53 per cent winning record across his coaching career.

“I think he’s pretty confident in his own ability as a coach.  He’s always been a good reader of the game,” Lloyd said. 

“He understands that things just haven’t worked too well at times with ball movement and probably the structure of where things are at, but they’ll make adjustments and hopefully it’s a better second half of the season.”

In the first 11 games this season, the Bombers have travelled to Perth twice and played both of last season’s Grand Finalists.

This week they confront Hawthorn again. 

“It’s another challenge.  He’s had many of those before,” Lloyd said.

“He’s got a good team around him, good support at the Bombers – they don’t panic too much.  They’ll stay the course.”