Jake Trbojevic has led an impassioned defence for Des Hasler, declaring he should be Manly's long-term coach and can't be blamed for their opening-round NRL flogging.
Hasler's future has come under the spotlight, with the veteran mentor unsigned beyond the end of this season.
Negotiations between Hasler and the club for a three-year extension have gone on for almost 12 months, and while they could be completed soon there have been sticking points over termination clauses.
Regardless though, performances like the Sea Eagles' 46-4 thumping from the Sydney Roosters won't help, with Dylan Walker admitting it was "s***house".
While Manly's defence was problematic on Saturday, it was evident on Monday as both Walker and Trbojevic championed Hasler's cause.
"You shouldn't put it on Des and you can't," Trbojevic said.
"He's not out there. He obviously prepares us really well, so thoroughly...
"I love being coached by him, he is a great leader.
"He really suits running this club and... I hope he is here for a long time."
Saturday's loss marked the third-straight game the Sea Eagles have conceded 40 points when including last year's losses to Gold Coast and Warriors.
Things won't become easier over the coming weeks, with South Sydney on Saturday night and Penrith in round four before the draw softens slightly.
But Trbojevic said it was again on the players to turn things around.
"All he does is think about football and work hard," Trbojevic said.
"He is a great leader, all he does is want the best for his players and the best for this club."
Manly's biggest issues remain on the edges with the Roosters' first seven tries all coming down the Sea Eagles left-hand side.
Walker's eventual return there from fullback should help somewhat, once Tom Trbojevic is back fit in the next few weeks.
It was also pointed out to players in Monday's video review that the Roosters were able to march down field too easy, with several tries starting with sets at their own end.
"That loss is hard to take, it's s***house," Walker said.
"It's not to our standard.
"It's just an attitude thing, we didn't rock up except for the first 10 or 15 minutes.
"I'm not too sure (how that happens in round one), those are the answers we are probably trying to find out ourselves.
"It's not fair on our coaching staff, our fans and our members... We take full responsibility for that as players.
"All you can do is show resilience, work hard on it and it will look after itself."
