But he is certain they are still A-League finals contenders despite losing 1-0 to Newcastle Jets on Saturday.
 
And while there are signs the reigning champions are turning their form around, Saturday's loss indicates there is still some way to go before they can get back in the title hunt.
 
"The club is going through a period of change, there is no doubt about it," Mulvey said after the loss to the Jets.
 
"There was a malaise following the grand final wins and there is going to be some short-term pain before long-term gain.
 
"To be talking about third in a row is a ridiculous thing to be talking about because we are at the other end of the table.
 
"What we need to be contemplating is getting our best XI on the park, making sure everyone is ready to play 100 percent – not 98 percent or 97 percent – which is what happens, we turn off at times, which was indicative of the goal we conceded."
 
Roar were out played by the Jets for the first hour and conceded a soft goal to Ryan Griffiths just two minutes after half-time.
 
But the Brisbane side fought back in the final 20 minutes and created several game-equalising opportunities but could not convert in front of goal as they slid to their ninth loss of the season.
 
"We had our moments and we probably could have equalised late in the second half," Mulvey said.
 
"It was a dour struggle certainly in the first half and we were not our best – our passing wasn't slick enough and we gave up too much uncontested ball.
 
"The second half we talked about keeping it tight for the next five minutes and they banged a goal in the first two minutes.
 
"We can't afford to keep doing it. We lapsed in concentration last week and you can't keep doing that, not at this level, so we still have plenty to work on."