Even Brisbane's Wayne Bennett can empathise with under-fire Canterbury coach Des Hasler's plight ahead of their NRL clash at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night.
The long-time Broncos mentor admitted "the buck stops with the coach".
But Bennett threw his support behind Hasler, saying speculation over the Bulldogs coach's future was an "overreaction".
The off-contract Hasler is hoping for a new two-year deal at Belmore.
However, he is under immense scrutiny following their 36-0 last round loss to Manly - their third defeat in four games.
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Bennett said fellow veteran coach Hasler's record spoke for itself.
"The buck stops with the coach - it goes with the territory," Bennett said.
"We are in a highly competitive business and eight teams lose every week.
"(But) Des has been a long standing coach, has a great reputation in the game.
"He's just going through a tough patch, we all go through them."
Hasler's future is expected to be high on the agenda when the Bulldogs board meet on Thursday, barely hours before their round-five clash.
Bennett believed Hasler deserved more than a few rounds to prove his case at the Bulldogs.
Yet Wests Tigers infamously sacked Jason Taylor after three rounds this year.
Asked if coaches deserved more than a few rounds to prove themselves, Bennett said: "You'd like to think so.
"(But the clubs) know what Jason Taylor brought, they know what Des brings, they know what I bring long before the balls are kicked off and the season starts.
"The rest is just an over-reaction sometimes."
