Dean Ryan admitted there was a ‘lot of frustration’ in the Dragons squad after a disappointing 26-15 loss to Zebre in the Guinness PRO14 in Italy.
Wales international Jonah Holmes grabbed a try brace at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
But Dragons were always playing catch-up after two yellow cards in the first half saw them fall the wrong side of the officials.
Director of Dragons Rugby Ryan pinpointed first half issues around the breakdown as pivotal during a difficult night in Parma.
“We didn’t come to terms with what the expectation was around the breakdown,” he said.
“We had two yellow cards in the first half and still had people trying to get an understanding from the referee.
“Full credit to Zebre. Let’s not take anything away from them for getting the result.
“But we found it very difficult to understand how to slow them down or speed us up. That, ultimately, was hugely influential in the game.
“We kept getting penalised every time we went near the breakdown, yet we ended up with a huge fight every time we were on the front foot.
“There is a lot of frustration because this is a game that we wanted to get some momentum back and we didn’t achieve that,” he added.
“We have got to look at ourselves for that and look at how we can be better.”
Dragons next face a Welsh derby against Ospreys at the Brewery Field in Bridgend on Saturday (kick-off 7.35pm).
“We’ve got to keep playing, keep learning and we hope and expect it to be different circumstances next week,” said Ryan.
“Let’s get back and playing and see where go. It’s been a challenge in Italy because we didn’t know the answers.
“We weren’t able to facilitate a game so let’s hope it is different next week.
“It was a tough night but there were some positive individual performances,” he added.
“Jonah (Holmes) looked dangerous and I thought Josh (Lewis) came on and gave us real impact.
“I was also pleased with Gonzalo (Bertranou) with his speed, we just couldn’t get any momentum in that first half.
“I think he was frustrated how to get that with so many people all over the ball.”
There is a lot of frustration because this is a game that we wanted to get some momentum back and we didn’t achieve that... We have got to look at ourselves for that and look at how we can be better...
