They have tumbled out of the top eight on the back of four losses in five games and stand accused of not putting in for the full 80 minutes – but the Manly Sea Eagles are far from panicking eight rounds out from the finals.
Manly's shock two-point loss to Canberra at Brookvale on Saturday night was the low point of the season to date, former Test forwards Brent Kite and Josh Perry among those savaged for their paltry contributions in a lacklustre display from Des Hasler's men.
The Sea Eagles now sit ninth on the table but co-captain Jason King told Sportal on Monday that while the current slump is alarming, the 2008 premiers are confident they can turn things around and make an impact heading into the play-offs.
"We play some good footy in patches then some bad footy in patches," he said.
"It's disappointing. We're not performing as a team."
"It's not panic stations yet but we need to get things right sooner rather than later."
Admitting the criticism surrounding the team was warranted, King rejected talk his forward pack was failing to muscle up and show the necessary aggression.
"You don't want to be known as soft in the forwards and I certainly don’t think that is the case," he declared.
"We are definitely putting in for each other but it's just not happening for us at the moment."
Perry added: "I don't know whether we are soft – we're just not playing well."
"Every club has a few hiccups in a season and we have had our fair share."
"We just have to get on with the job and get used to winning again."
Manly CEO Graham Lowe expressed his disappointment at the club's plight but backed the players to come good.
He believes they may be trying too hard.
"If I take my CEO hat off and wear my fan's hat, I'm as disappointed as anybody," he said.
"I think that they are attracting some criticism in the media and when you don't perform, that's what happens."
"Whilst Saturday night was really disappointing, there was certainly some signs that some were trying too hard and maybe they need to be more relaxed.''
"They would have read the criticism that's been fired at them and there's only one way they can answer it - and that's next week on the field."
"I'm expecting that too happen.''
The Sea Eagles meet struggling Cronulla at Toyota Stadium on Saturday night in what now shapes as a must-win game.
"It's never easy down there but we've simply got to come away with a win," King said.