WORCESTER Warriors have conceded 100 points in their opening three Aviva Premiership games.

But director of rugby Gary Gold believes there is “a lot of good stuff to work with” as Warriors bid to tighten up their defence ahead of Friday’s trip to Gloucester (7.45pm).

Worcester leaked five tries in a 41-10 pummelling by defending champions Exeter Chiefs at Sixways last Friday.

This heavy defeat follows a 35-8 loss at Newcastle Falcons and a 24-10 beating against Wasps to leave Gold’s men at the foot of the table.

Warriors’ chief has often spoken of his determination to improve his side’s defensive record after they let in 74 tries and conceded 662 points in 22 league games last season.

But Exeter’s rampant display has seen Warriors’ tries against total increase to 12 and have only crossed the whitewash three times.

“It is not ideal,” said Gold who brought in Omar Mouneimne as defence coach in April.

“That's the one area we wanted to improve on, that’s for sure.

“But I think you need to have a look at the source of where the tries are coming from.

“A lot of the time it’s us not looking after the ball at crucial times and then teams of their quality hurt you when you make a mistake.

“But there is a lot of good stuff to work with.”

Warriors held firm until the final 15 minutes of the first period when Exeter ranked up three converted tries to lead 24-3 at the break.

After Biyi Alo went over for the hosts, Chiefs added two more in the second period to seal an emphatic victory.

“There are periods of time where there are the same mistakes and then there are periods of time where we actually look really composed and we can build pressure well,” Gold said.

“We defended admirably for large periods, but we still conceded 40 points.”

Worcester are the only team not to register a point in the league and are five points adrift of second-from-bottom London Irish.

But with many first team players fighting their way to full fitness, including Will Spencer, Wynand Olivier and Chris Pennell, Gold is confident his side can turn the tide.

“Maybe from the outside it doesn’t look good and I can understand that, but it was a tough start,” he added.

“Ironically enough a team like Exeter this year had a tough start, so we have got a long way to go. “We are waiting for key guys to come back as well which I think will boost the squad and we will carry on with the fight.”