By rights, Gold Coast Titans five-eighth Kane Elgey should be happy simply playing in the NRL again.
But the playmaker says he has become frustrated trying to regain his mojo just two games back from a serious knee injury.
Elgey was supposed to be one of the Titans' feel good stories of 2017 after overcoming a knee reconstruction that sidelined him for all of last season.
Yet the 23-year-old reckons he has had little to celebrate since his return ahead of the winless Titans' round three home clash with ladder leaders Parramatta on Friday night.
"I am not too happy with myself," Elgey said.
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"It's been a long year out but that is no excuse.
"I probably have to hit form soon.
"I am being a bit hard on myself but I feel like I have to bring something else to the team and hopefully that starts on Friday night."
While Titans halfback Ash Taylor has fired, Elgey has battled behind a well-beaten Titans pack.
He has not been credited with a line break, a line break assist or a try assist yet this season.
Gold Coast will be patient with Elgey - the half is seen as a future captain - but the man himself reckons time is running out for him to perform.
"It's just confidence. I am a confidence player," he said.
"And it's just adapting to first grade again.
"I am working hard at training and hopefully it comes sooner rather than later."
Elgey believed a win against the unbeaten Eels may help turn it around for the injury-ravaged Titans - and himself.
Gold Coast have 12 players either injured or unavailable against Parramatta and are sweating on the availability of Dale Copley after he received a Sydney Roosters release on Wednesday.
"I think winning is going to be a massive thing," Elgey said.
"If we can go well as a team I will be better as a player.
"It (injury toll) has been rough but we have to adapt.
"We just have to win. It's a confidence game."
