Ryan says Dogs must improve

CANTERBURY Bulldogs captain Andrew Ryan has admitted his side simply wasn't good enough in Friday night's 26-6 flogging at the hands of St George Illawarra.<br><br>The Dogs and the Dragons filled the top two spots on the NRL ladder after the regular season concluded in 2009, but that gap now seems much wider after the Dragons piled on 16 points in as many minutes at the start of the round-two clash to crush the Bulldogs' hopes.<br><br>With no wins from their opening two matches, the Bulldogs currently sit in 15th spot on the ladder ahead of only Souths. <br><br>Ryan told <i>BigPond Sports Weekend</i> that his team's position was a direct result of some sloppy play and basic errors. <br><br><b><a href="http://bigpondvideo.com/Sports-Summer-Highlights/251353" target="blank">Watch the interview with Ryan »</a></b><br><br>"We were fatigued in those early stages from doing so much defence, and then some of those errors we were making – it's just not good enough," he said.<br><br>"We had a great pre-season, we trialled well – which doesn't matter too much – but some of the errors we've made in both games are just really disappointing.<br><br>"Where I spoke about the Dragons being crisp and everyone running, we had balls going out the back and balls hitting the ground – you just lose momentum.<br><br>"I think right across the board our guys haven't been pulling their weight."<br><br>Despite his own team's form woes, Ryan was enthusiastic about the return to league of Lote Tuqiri. <br><br>The former Wallaby is back in the NRL after seven years playing rugby union, and has made an immediate impression with Wests Tigers. <br><br>"It's great to see him back", Ryan said. "He was a super player before he went across to union and obviously he still is, so it's a great thing for NRL.<br><br>"The crowds are out there and they're loving him at the moment, and it's good to see."<br><br>