Canterbury coach Dean Pay has questioned his side's attitude for a second time this NRL season after their 18-10 loss to Manly.
Less than two months after Pay lambasted his Bulldogs' efforts against the Warriors in the opening round, the coach was again critical on Saturday night at Lottoland.
Canterbury finished the game at two tries apiece with Manly, but were left to lament two early defensive errors on their left edge that gave the Sea Eagles control of the match and the ability to kick ahead.
"It's an area we need to address and get better at," Pay said.
"I just thought our attitude towards our defence wasn't where it needed to be in that first half.
"Not just our attitude in defence, I thought our attitude towards our footy needed to be better.
"They ran harder and tackled harder than us in the first half. That's what it comes down to. That's why they had so much field position."
It marks the second time Pay has made such comments this year, after he was particularly critical following the 40-6 round-one drubbing in Auckland.
On that occasion Pay was frustrated by a lack of physicality from his side, where he also claimed the Warriors ran and tackled harder than his youngsters.
Meanwhile the Bulldogs should at least welcome five-eighth Kieran Foran back from injury against Newcastle, as he nears an early recovery from an ankle injury.
That will at least give some boost to their halves, who offered up four 20m restarts from taps on Saturday night.
"We had six good-ball sets down their end (early in the second half) but came up with five errors whether it was a drop ball or seven-tackle set," Pay said.
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