Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has accused Luke Brooks' critics of bullying the halfback, fearing nothing will ever be good enough to appease his detractors.
Brooks is wearing the brunt of criticism levelled at the Tigers' performances this season, with the club winless after five games.
He will be partnered by Adam Doueihi in the halves again on Monday against Parramatta, after the Tigers made four changes to their spine in as many weeks.
Off-contract at the end of this season, Brooks said on Friday he had given little thought to his future and did not know when it would be sorted.
A teenage prodigy when he debuted in 2013, Brooks is yet to take the Tigers to a final series.
Questions have been raised over the Tigers' decision to let Jackson Hastings go to Newcastle in the off-season rather than Brooks.
Sheens has been a staunch defender of Brooks since his arrival back at Concord last year as a football director, and said the criticism was unfair.
"He's been copping it for the last 18 months, almost to the point of bullying, even by you guys. The media are giving it to him," Sheens told reporters.
"I've been happy with the way he is progressing. Two weeks ago he scored a good try, set one up.
"I thought he was good for us last week, better than the other halves to be quite honest.
"I don't know what he has to do to get people off his back. My attitude is keep playing footy and keep working on his game.
"There is nothing major wrong with his game, it's just everyone expects him to score five tries a game for some reason."
Sheens' comments come after the club made an unsuccessful play for Mitch Moses to join the Tigers next year.
Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton is also testing the open market for next season, but Sheens claimed that at this stage the Tigers have no interest.
Instead, they must try to turn around their season against Parramatta after another dramatic week for the club off the field.
It was in the corresponding clash last year when the Tigers claimed their first win after five losses to start the year, only for the joint-venture club to go on to collect a maiden wooden spoon.
Regardless, Sheens is adamant all hope is not lost for 2023, pointing to the Tigers' 3-5 start when they last won a competition under him.
"We started slow in '05 as well," Sheens said.
"While it's not a matter of how you start, it would be nice to have more on the board. But it's how you finish.
"I have had good starts and poor finishes and vice-versa. Persevere, work hard and things will take care of themselves."
