Dean Ryan believes that Warriors have got to play at a higher intensity to compete with the top-level sides in the Aviva Premiership.
After a testing match against a strong Harlequins side last weekend, Warriors will be looking to get their first win of the campaign at London Wasps this Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Ryan said: “There was an enormous amount of energy and intensity from ourselves against Quins but it just wasn’t enough to cope with them.
“The challenge for us now is to see who can aspire to be at that higher level of intensity and cope with it to take on the best sides.”
Andy Goode is expected to feature in the Wasps team at the weekend, along with other former Warriors Matt Mullan and Joe Carlisle.
And Ryan knows the threat that the ex-Warriors number ten possesses.
He continued: “Goode is still one of the best game-managers around that can still play that flat ball across the front.
“He’s a danger against us because his field-position kicking is second to none and we have to make sure we take care of him.”
Leonardo Senatore arrived at Sixways this week and fellow Argentinian internationals Agustin Creevy and Mariano Galarza also due to link-up once the Rugby Championship finishes.
And Ryan insists that the club will go from strength to strength thanks to the new additions and the return of key players from injury.
He added: “We’ve got the new contingent of Argentinian lads coming in, which will help us strengthen, and we also have the like of James Percival, George Porter and Chris Brooker returning from injury.
“So over the next few weeks our squad is going to gradually get stronger and more competitive.”
Despite a tough start to the campaign, Ryan has been delighted with the attitude of his squad – including club centurion Chris Pennell.
Following a fine start from Pennell, Ryan has expressed his belief that the Warriors full-back should be pushing for an England call-up.
He concluded: “Pennell has been outstanding and if he was at one of the top six sides, he would be in the EPS squad. Stuart Lancaster can’t ignore him with how well he is playing.
“There is no reason he can’t challenge for a spot with Mike Brown and Alex Goode. He is second to none under the high ball.
“Brown will probably be the number one choice in the autumn and he is a strong runner with a great left foot – but Chris has all those attributes.”