NRL.com analyst Matt Elliott has faith in Trent Robinson's ability to turn things around at the Roosters, despite the Tricolours starting the season without a win through three rounds, their most recent loss a 40-0 drubbing at the hands of the Cowboys on Thursday night.
Missing Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Boyd Cordner and Mitchell Pearce, coupled with the departure of James Maloney, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Michael Jennings, the current Roosters outfit are vastly different to the one which tasted success at 1300SMILES Stadium in Round 1 of the 2015 season.
Speaking on NRL.com's Friday Fever, Elliott was confident that there would be better days ahead for the club he was once an assistant coach at, if they can avoid another demoralising defeat.
"They can [turn things around]. The reason I say that is because I've got a lot of respect for the coaching staff, and the culture they've developed around there," Elliott said.
"Obviously they're at a stage where I think they're right on the precipice, if they have another result like that... Young guys, it's not as though they lose belief in themselves but they lose confidence in the actual structures of play and the continuity.
"The return of those senior places is absolutely key."
Elliott was quick to add that there was nothing wrong with the attitude of the side, who also lost Dale Copley (pec) and Ian Henderson (leg) to serious injuries.
"The young guys for the Roosters were trying, they didn't stop trying, they were just lost.
"The Cowboys got away to an amazing start, and you'd have to say the Roosters fought really hard to get back into the contest."
For a full rundown of Thursday night's game and a look ahead to the rest of Round 3, watch NRL.com's Friday Fever.
