Frustration mounting for Pay
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The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs attack that got so bogged down it played a serious role in Des Hasler's demise is proving similarly frustrating for his successor Dean Pay.
After promising signs in a first-round loss to premiers Melbourne Storm, the Bulldogs well-documented offensive woes of 2017 appeared to return in a disappointing 30-12 defeat to the Sydney Roosters.
Despite the Tricolours committing double the amount of errors (14-7), Canterbury could only muster two tries as they start the Pay era with back-to-back losses, and were kept scoreless during the 10-minutes Roosters lock Isaac Liu was sin-binned.
While Moses Mbye threatened in his new role at fullback, marquee halfback Kieran Foran had an unhappy night with two errors and four missed tackles as the Roosters ran in five tries to two.
Pay admitted his attacking revamp would take time, but refused to use the club's ongoing overhaul as an excuse for what can only be viewed as a step backwards after pushing the Storm in Perth last weekend.
''It's becoming frustrating that's for sure,'' Pay said.
Match Highlights: Roosters v Bulldogs - Round 2; 2018
''We have some new players at the club, some new structures we're working on, and in the end it is going to take time.
''But we want to make sure we're putting in performances we're happy with each weekend as well. We certainly need to be better.''
Match: Roosters v Bulldogs
Round 2 -
home Team
Roosters
7th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
15th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs skipper Josh Jackson found himself in the wars throughout the contest, coming off for a HIA after he was steamrolled by monster prop Dylan Napa late in the first half.
He also worked his way across the line for a 61st minute try that briefly brought the Bulldogs back into the game, but he took no heart from the fact Canterbury's two early losses had come against competition front-runners in the Storm and Roosters.
''It's frustrating, we're a better footy team than what we dished up there tonight,'' Jackson said.
''Two weeks in a row we've had more than 30 points put on us, and as a group, that's something that is very disappointing, and we want to be better at that.
''It doesn't matter who you play … [conceding] 30 points isn't good enough. If we want to be there in September we've got to match it and compete with every team in the competition.''
