Martin Nutt says it will take until the end of the month for Oxford Harlequins to start performing to their potential.

Nutt, who re-joined Quins as player-coach this summer, is confident their opening two defeats are not a sign of things to come.

And having played for Newbury for five years, four of which were in National 1, he believes he has plenty of experience to pass on.

A 19-5 opening-day loss at Taunton was followed by a 45-19 defeat at home to Coney Hill on Saturday.

Nutt says Quins now need to start grinding out results.

“September is the learning curve,” said Nutt. “If we can win one or two of those games, then even better.

“It’s going to come, hopefully by the end of month.

“Next week has got to be another huge stride forward.”

Nutt added: “I am trying to bring in stuff I have learnt over the last five years into what we are doing this season.

“The club gave me a really good platform to go to Newbury and I want to give something back.

“The club is going in the right direction, but I think it is going to take a bit of time to work.”

Nutt is looking for the players to work harder in training and plans to get coaching qualifications next year.

He said: “A lot of what is needed is on the mental side.

“A lot of guys need to learn how to read the game – but for somebody who has been playing for 15 years, you can’t change him in a few weeks.”

Nutt has been playing at full back for Quins, but this may not be his long-term position.

He said: “I would like to be playing at No 13, but I will play where I need to.

“If I was in the midfield, I would be able to communicate a bit more with the forwards.”

Nutt had a rapid rise from Chipping Norton to Newbury via Quins, but he felt last summer was time to move on.

He said: “They were offering people contracts at Newbury in February, but living up this way it was getting difficult.

“I wanted to be a bit closer to home and I didn’t enjoy last year too much.”