Eels embarrassed but not desperate in NRL

Parramatta insist their NRL season hasn't reached desperation stakes despite losing their opening two games including a 54-0 flogging at the hands of Manly.

Parramatta NRL skipper Tim Mannah insists his side's 54-0 NRL thumping at the hands of Manly hasn't dented their swagger.

The Eels will be forced to swim against the tide of history unless they can open their account against an equally desperate Cronulla on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium.

The loser will slump to 0-3 with only one side over the past 20 years recovering from three opening-round losses to go on and win the grand final.