Williams not fazed by Raiders' mixed bag

Raiders halfback George Williams is not concerned by the side's mixed run of form to start the season but wants to build momentum against the Eels in Saturday's clash at GIO Stadium.  

The Raiders started well in their loss to title contenders Penrith last week but fell away to concede 30 points for the second time in three weeks and just the third time since round 9, 2019.

Their return to the nation's capital against another of last year's top-four sides on Saturday couldn't come soon enough with the team desperate to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since last June.

"It's been a tough couple of weeks of intensity after the Warriors game, even the Titans [win] we came out of that and felt they really came at us," Williams told NRL.com.

"We tightened up our defence after that Warriors game but then let ourselves down again [last week].

"Our defence has been OK if you take out those two games with a little bit going on but that's no excuse, our attack is not perfect and nowhere near where we want it to be.

"But it's only round five and that's the good thing. If we were putting these performances in towards the end of the season it would be worrying.

"As disappointing as our start has been we've got time to fix a few things but if we continue the way we're going the results won't change."

The English halfback said he was enjoying his second season in Australia after the start of his NRL career last year was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unable to return to the UK over the off-season to visit family and friends, Williams has been able to settle into his surroundings and study the game more thoroughly over the break.

"I got a bit targeted last year for being new but I came here to challenge myself so if teams are coming at me more this year then so be it but I haven't felt it too much so far," he said.

"Individually I wasn't anywhere near where I wanted to be and neither was the team either.

"It's not through lack of effort but sometimes the more we try the worst we get. You don't always win games on trying though so we've got to be smart."

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