History would suggest otherwise, but Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson says Saturday's crunch NRL clash with Manly is not yet do-or-die for their finals ambitions.
The Bondi club - minor premiers for the past three seasons - have started this campaign with three straight losses, putting their premiership pursuit in a precarious position.
Should they rack up their fourth defeat against the Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium, they will need to buck history if they are to hold aloft the Provan-Summons Trophy.
While the first weekend in October is still a long way off, no side has ever been without victory in the first month and gone on to win the grand final.
The Roosters have been battered by the departure of stars Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Michael Jennings and James Maloney, the suspension of halfback Mitchell Pearce until round nine and injuries to forwards Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (knee, round 11) and Boyd Cordner (pectoral, round eight).
On top of that hefty toll, centre Dale Copley (pectoral) and bench forward Ian Henderson (broken leg) suffered long-term injuries in their crushing 40-0 loss to premiers North Queensland last round.
That thrashing was the side's heaviest defeat during Robinson's successful tenure which began in 2013.
Not only must Robinson's inexperienced squad find a winning mentality, they must do it fast, but he says there's still time to make up ground and get back into premiership contention.
"It's three games into a 26 round season," Robinson said on Friday.
"We're a team that's been on runs before so that time will come if we work hard enough.
"But we need some good improvement to play Manly who probably ran into some form in that second half on Monday night."
Manly turned a corner to score their first win of the season against Cronulla last round, but must find a way to muscle up following the suspensions of Martin Taupau and Brenton Lawrence.
However they might receive a boost with Jamie Buhrer a chance to make his return from a broken jaw suffered at the Auckland Nines.
Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett said he was taking nothing for granted against the down-and-out Roosters and is especially wary of the quality of young five-eighth Jackson Hastings having watched him closely as a junior coming through the ranks in Wollongong.
"I've known (Hastings) pretty much his whole life," Barrett said.
"He is an exceptional player and he has got a bit of responsibility there now with James Maloney going, and he has a young half with him in (Jayden) Nikorima, and a young fullback (Latrell Mitchell).
"We've watched him since he was a kid and he has always been a standout coming through the juniors."
STATS THAT MATTER
* The Roosters became only the third team since 1954 to lose three in a row to start the next season after winning a minor premiership.
* Shaun Kenny-Dowall will play his 200th match in what will also be his 100th at Allianz Stadium.
* Sydney Roosters skipper Jake Friend has averaged 52.3 tackles per game this season, the most of any player.
Source: Fox Sports Stats
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