Speaking post-match after his side's third defeat from as many matches, a 47-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at Docklands on Monday, Wallace was adamant those factors had no bearing on a winless start to the season.
"In all honesty, I don't think so at all," he said.
"We know what we've got to do. When you're playing two of the preliminary finalists in the last two weeks … we knew the situation that was going to occur.
"What you've got to do is stay true to yourself and get on with what's coming up over the next couple of weeks."
Wallace said it was his job to keep external pressure off his players.
"We came into the season and we all got the draw four months ago, and you all know where it sits. If I went around the room, I reckon there'd be less than half of you who picked us in one game out of three so far," he said.
"Probably most of you would've thought that we'd be in this situation – certainly some of you would've picked us in round one – but I don't think many have picked us in round two or three.
"We've played two of the top three undefeated sides, and we're not at that level. We weren't at that level last year. That's the reality of where it's at.
"Clearly, we need to do the next few weeks right. We know that and we understand that's the … situation, and we're not running and hiding."
Although Wallace was "really disappointed" with his side's second quarter, he said it was hard to be angry with his players who gave their all.
He added it was a matter of finding the balance between players who have a crack and those that can use the ball in selecting the 22 each week.
"We went into round one with what we thought were our better users, and we got a non-competitive effort," he said.
"We then (went) to the competitors, who probably don't quite use it as well, but you know when they come through the turnstiles that they're going to have a crack for you. Perhaps getting the balance of that is where we've got to go in the next few weeks."
