Jason Ryles has questioned Parramatta's hunger, saying Eels fans had every right to boo his side after they were thrashed 52-10 by the Gold Coast in their biggest home loss in more than 30 years.
The Eels were played off the park at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, going down to a Gold Coast side inspired by Keano Kini as the Titans surpassed the 50-point mark for just the second time in their history.
Halfback Jayden Campbell and wingers Phillip Sami and Sialetili Faeamani scored doubles as the Eels slumped to a third straight loss, missing 43 tackles and making 15 errors.
Not since a 60-14 defeat to Brisbane in 1995 have the Eels been beaten so badly on their own patch.
"We've just got 50 put on us at our home ground, so the fans are well within their rights to be doing that," Ryles said.
"They're a huge part of what we're doing, and it's disappointing that we perform like that in front of them."
Ryles' side (2-4) boast the worst defence in the NRL and are only being kept off bottom by the winless St George Illawarra.
The second-year Eels boss accused his side of lacking hunger as Sam Tuivaiti and Kelma Tuilagi joined a mounting injury toll with concussions that will rule both forwards out of next Sunday's home clash with Canterbury.
"Today for me was disappointing from the point of view that the spirit wasn't there," Ryles said.
"Last week (in the loss to Wests Tigers) I saw some fight that I'd never seen before, and then this week I didn't see it.
"Some individuals made some decisions that hopefully they wouldn't make again, and that's something that we need to get to the bottom of really quickly."
Ryles refused to blame the Eels' lengthy injury list for Sunday's defeat after the Titans raced to an 18-0 lead after as many minutes, courtesy of tries from Arama Hau, AJ Brimson and Faeamani.
Will Penisini scored just before halftime to make it 18-6 at the break, but the Titans powered away.
Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr added his side's only try of the second half.
Campbell crossed twice in the second half along with Cooper Bai and Sami, whose double helped the Titans bring up the half-century to record the biggest away win in the club's history.
"We're becoming that team that can be a gritty defensive side," said Gold Coast coach Josh Hannay.
"I think the 50 (points) people would associate 50 with this team and not 10 against.
"That's where we're changing our stripes if you like and we're becoming a grittier, (more) defensive footy side."
