Daly Cherry-Evans is under pressure to lift his performance for Friday’s finals opener against South Sydney, with statistics showing he’s drastically down on form.

The Manly halfback has gone three weeks without a try assist and has created just one four-pointer from his past seven matches as the Sea Eagles’ premiership charge has wavered.

Last year when Cherry-Evans finished just two votes off the Dally M Medal and guided Manly to a grand final for the second time in three seasons, he had a career-high 21 try assists, 12 line-breaks and 16 line-break assists.

But in 2014 he’s well down on all those numbers, with his 13 try assists placing him 12th in the competition alongside the often-criticised Rabbitohs No.7 Adam Reynolds.

Cherry-Evans is considered by many to be the premier half in the NRL, but his rivals for that crown Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk have far outstripped him from a statistical standpoint this season.

Thurston has 28 try assists to his name and Cronk 24 heading into the finals, despite the fact Manly finished much higher than both North Queensland and Melbourne on the ladder.

Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey has refused to call on Cherry-Evans to find another level on Friday.

“No, I’d never put too much pressure on an individual player,” said Toovey.

“I think the whole team (needs to lift).

“We completed 53 per cent (of sets) in the first half last week against the Cowboys.

“It wasn’t one player, it wasn’t two players, it was right across the park. We need to lift.”

Cherry-Evans has plenty to prove against the Rabbitohs on Friday night, even though the odds are stacked against him on almost every front.

The 25-year-old has battled lingering ankle and knee problems since before the State of Origin period and doesn’t appear 100 per cent fit.

Rumours also suggest he’s at the centre of ongoing internal schisms at the drama-filled club – something the man himself steadfastly denies.

Cherry-Evans also has his work cut out playing behind an undermanned Sea Eagles pack in a battle against the giant South Sydney forwards.

However, the silver lining for the Sea Eagles is they’ve lacked size up front all year and that hasn’t stopped Cherry-Evans from producing some sizzling performances which helped them to second spot on the ladder after 26 rounds.