Parramatta's leaders have been asked to do just that, while Manly's big guns have taken it on themselves to lift as the NRL rivals search to rediscover that winning feeling.
The sides will meet on Friday each boasting just two wins from their last five games and coming off stinging losses at Brisbane's Magic Round.
The Eels gave the Sydney Roosters a headstart in a 31-24 loss while the Sea Eagles were kept scoreless for the first time since 1999 in a 38-0 humbling by the Broncos.
It's led to some soul searching - and similar findings - ahead of Friday's clash at CommBank Stadium.
"It's about our mentality and attitude when we go to the game. It falls on our senior players," Eels coach Brad Arthur said.
"At the end of the day, the rest of the team will follow their leadership and their mentality. We need all our senior players to step up."
Critiqued after a lacklustre night against the Broncos when the state of his rehabilitated knee was questioned, star Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic admitted he needed to respond.
"(It's been a) tough week, it wasn't a good reflection on us as a footy side," he said, clarifying that a corked thigh impacted his performance.
"That's why I looked a bit ginger ... people can speculate and say this or that, but the knee was no issue.
"It's good people are talking about you, it's not always nice but that's just part of the sport.
"I pride myself on my ability to play the game; each week you put pressure on yourself to perform.
"I haven't been able to do that at certain times this year and certainly not on the weekend."
Manly have had the Eels' measure in recent times, winning their last three encounters including a 56-10 mauling that included 28 points for Reuben Garrick.
Their last loss to the Eels was in 2020, also their most recent loss at CommBank Stadium, where they are 3-2.
In that game Garrick was denied the match-winner when Trbojevic's pass to his winger was controversially ruled forward.
Australian Associated Press
