Cnaberra Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson says his individual form mirrors the "clunky" Green Machine, adamant he won't force himself to run more despite a dramatic drop in his average metres.
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The Raiders are confident they can end a string of defeats when they play the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
The loss to the lowly-ranked Newcastle Knights last week was a massive blow to Canberra's season, but it could be the reality check that sparks their campaign.
Hodgson conceded the Raiders had been nowhere near the best as they slumped to three consecutive losses.
The hooker's run metres have dropped to 36.3 metres per game this year and the statistic is a stark contrast to his 68.4 metres per game last season.
The Englishman has established himself as one of the most influential rakes in the NRL and the Raiders need him to fire against the Eels.
But Hodgson said he doesn't feel the pressure to take more risks to end a three-game losing streak.
"[My form] has been a little bit the same as the team really, we're a little bit clunky at times and we aren't really flowing as well as what we would like," Hodgson said.
"I think that affects most of the team on an individual basis as well, when you haven't got that flow in the game.
"I just wait for the opportunity to run really, sometimes it will present itself. Sometimes you might run six or seven times a game, sometimes you might only run once.
"I think when you try and manifest those opportunities, that's when it tends to go wrong. You've just got to wait for the opportunity to come and then when it comes try and take it.
"When we're a little bit scratchy and you're not flowing in your attack those opportunities aren't going to create themselves as much as you like.
"But I'm not worried about that, my game is not about stats. my game is about doing what's best for the side and trying to get us the win."
The Raiders have won eight of their past 10 games against the Eels, including a 30-18 triumph at Canberra Stadium in April.
But Canberra's year has hit an unexpected hurdle, losing games to Manly, Canterbury and Newcastle in the past three rounds to be stuck outside the top eight.
Most expected the Raiders to blow teams away this year after making the preliminary final last year and enjoying their best season in 20 years.
However, they have struggled to hit top fear and have won just four of 10 games.
"Everyone is still confident in the ability that we've got in our team, the players that we've got in our side, and the potential," Hodgson said.
"Everybody in our squad knows what we can do. Obviously the confidence is always going to be a little low when we've been playing a little bit disappointingly.
"But in terms of the belief, the belief is always there. It's just in terms of going out there and really stringing a bit of consistent footy together."
The Raiders are also set to be bolstered in the coming weeks by the looming return of Hodgson's back-up, Kurt Baptiste.
Baptiste ruptured his Achilles tendon in pre-season training, but will start for NSW Cup side Mounties this weekend.
He could be back in NRL selection contention next week for a clash against the Sydney Roosters.
"It's nice to have a bit more depth ... with Kurt coming back, it gives us that little competitive edge for the bench spot and the starting spot. It's always good to keep you on your toes," Hodgson said.
NRL ROUND 11
Saturday: Parramatta Eels v Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium, 7:30pm. TV time: Live on Fox League.
Raiders team: 1. Jack Wighton, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Josh Hodgson , 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Adam Clydsdale, 15. Luke Bateman, 16. Clay Priest, 17. Sia Soliola, 18. Dunamis Lui, 19. Jordan Turner, 20. Dave Taylor, 21. Scott Sorensen
???Eels team: 1. Bevan French, 2. Semi Radradra, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Kirisome Auva'a, 5. Josh Hoffman, 6. Clint Gutherson, 7. Will Smith, 8. Suaia Matagi, 9. Kaysa Pritchard, 10. Tim Mannah (c), 11. Manu Ma'u, 12. Tepai Moeroa, 13. Nathan Brown. Interchange: 14. Beau Scott (c), 15. Daniel Alvaro, 16. Kenny Edwards, 17. Siosaia Vave, 18. David Gower, 19. Rory O'Brien, 20. Brad Takairangi, 21. Mitchell Moses
