Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens says he is ready to cop the flak that comes his way this week after a fifth consecutive loss to start the season, but he made a promise about his determination to help dig his side out of a hole.
"I will never give up on this group," Sheens said after Saturday's 46-12 loss to Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
The Tigers faithful hoped 2005 premiership-winning coach Sheens and his title-winning heroes Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah as assistants would be the dream team to turn the club around after 11 years of missing the finals.
It hasn't turned out that way so far, but four-time premiership winning coach Sheens remains optimistic.
"They are a quality group of guys, and they have got talent individually. We have just got to put the 17 individuals together and make sure it works," he said.
"That's my job...and as a coaching group we've got to put them together. Not pick them apart or get over-anxious about it because it is only going to make it worse for them.
"We have to wear a lot of this, and, in saying that, we've all got to work a lot harder - staff and players."
Sheens reflected on the gun Broncos side of 1999 that lost five in a row to start the season and eight of the first 10, before recovering to make the finals.
"These things can happen. Of course, the more you get beat the tougher it is to dig your way out of it, but we need to find a way and we will continue to work hard to do that," he said.
"You get one win, you'll get two and maybe you are up and running."
But the Tigers were outplayed by the Broncos in every aspect on Saturday night.
"We continually shot ourselves in the foot," Sheens said.
The team had been right in the contest in the games they lost in the first four rounds, but the Broncos loss exposed multiple flaws.
"We have got to work on where we are and not worry too much on the external noise that is going to come this week," Sheens added.
"I am prepared to cop as much as you want to give me but I am still going to be turning up with the boys next week working hard."
The Tigers play Parramatta on Monday week at Accor Stadium. Last year, they lost five in a row before beating the Eels in round six. Sheens and his men will be hoping history repeats so they can get a win before their round seven bye.
"I hope we'll win the bye anyway in a couple of weeks," Sheens said, proving at least that his sense of humour was still intact.
