Canterbury skipper Michael Ennis says the last-placed Bulldogs are not a club in crisis despite the looming departure of chief executive Todd Greenberg and ongoing rumours of player unrest.
Ennis claims all the innuendo can be put to rest with some wins, which have so far proved elusive for last year's minor premiers, who have a dismal 1-5 season record.
"Everyone in our playing group is happy," Ennis insisted.
"The friendships that are in amongst this team, people don't understand that externally.
"I know first-hand that these players in our playing group want to be here and they want to play for the Bulldogs.
"We just need some results on the field and we'll move forward."
Two players central to many of the rumours have been Ben Barba and Josh Morris, who have both been linked with moves away from the club.
Barba is three games into a comeback following a club-imposed ban, when he was sent to a rehabilitation clinic to deal with a variety of personal problems.
But last year's Dally M player of the year has failed to fire in his return to the field, leading to speculation he could be released to join Brisbane as he attempts to get his life and career back on track.
Morris was linked with a return to his junior club St George Illawarra, a rumour the Test and NSW Origin representative wasted little time in rubbishing.
"Never, ever have I once asked for a release," Morris said.
"These rumours have all come about while we've been in this losing patch.
"I've been getting texts left, right and centre from my mates coming up with the most ridiculous rumours possible.
"We need to get a win this weekend and hopefully those rumours start to go away."
As desperate as the Bulldogs will be on Sunday, their opponents Cronulla aren't much better off with just two wins from the opening six games.
Ennis claims all the innuendo can be put to rest with some wins, which have so far proved elusive for last year's minor premiers, who have a dismal 1-5 season record.
"Everyone in our playing group is happy," Ennis insisted.
"The friendships that are in amongst this team, people don't understand that externally.
"I know first-hand that these players in our playing group want to be here and they want to play for the Bulldogs.
"We just need some results on the field and we'll move forward."
Two players central to many of the rumours have been Ben Barba and Josh Morris, who have both been linked with moves away from the club.
Barba is three games into a comeback following a club-imposed ban, when he was sent to a rehabilitation clinic to deal with a variety of personal problems.
But last year's Dally M player of the year has failed to fire in his return to the field, leading to speculation he could be released to join Brisbane as he attempts to get his life and career back on track.
Morris was linked with a return to his junior club St George Illawarra, a rumour the Test and NSW Origin representative wasted little time in rubbishing.
"Never, ever have I once asked for a release," Morris said.
"These rumours have all come about while we've been in this losing patch.
"I've been getting texts left, right and centre from my mates coming up with the most ridiculous rumours possible.
"We need to get a win this weekend and hopefully those rumours start to go away."
As desperate as the Bulldogs will be on Sunday, their opponents Cronulla aren't much better off with just two wins from the opening six games.
but the rumours will never stop
