No excuses: Robinson demands depleted side improves

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson held no excuses for his depleted side's recent woes after slumping to their third straight loss of the season on Sunday.

The defending premiers struggled in attack against a rejuvenated Panthers outfit following after losing big names Luke Keary, Latrell Mitchell, Angus Crichton and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves over the past week to injury, Origin and suspension.

NSW pair James Tedesco and Boyd Cordner backed up in courageous fashion following Origin I but couldn't make an impact late in the contest as the Panthers secured a 19-10 victory.

Former Dragons playmaker Drew Hutchison partnered Cooper Cronk in the halves but the pair couldn't combine enough with a weight of possession and territory against them.

Robinson was left frustrated by the recent performances despite almost half the top side missing. 

"We've had lots of changes which, that's not the excuse, that's never the excuse. We just haven't handled the last three games the way we would've liked," Robinson said.

"We would've liked to have executed better than what we did. I thought we were in with a good chance to win the game today. We just couldn't find that break to come on top.

"It's difficult but as a club you enjoy the challenge of all that. We were getting it right and now we've had three losses and it's frustrating. But it's never about 'wait until we get these guys back'. You can't do that, you're not going to win if you're only waiting on your best 17 [to return].

"That's why I'm frustrated because ... I believe we should've won the game with that team. Even though there's different cogs in motion there. We train enough and I wanted better."

Cordner backed up his Origin I performance with 10 carries for 84 metres in an 80-minute display.

After picking up an ankle injury, Robinson was adamant the Roosters skipper was fit to play, while adding he'll stick with a rotating system of resting rep stars.

"I thought that Boyd, he had the Brisbane game off so he's only played two games in a row. With the ankle he said he'll be alright and wanted to play this weekend.

"It's easy to talk about it now but I'll assess how those guys are. I think we expect guys who are pulling on that jersey to do better than what they did today.

No matter how many games you played or what position you are. If we have to cross our fingers for a James Tedesco or Boyd Cordner to play, that's not what we want."