Off-field turmoil, in-form opponents and an unhappy hunting ground: the Warriors face a tough ask to get their NRL season back on track in a hurry.

They host Canterbury Bulldogs on Sunday with a lead-up that included coach Matthew Elliott’s sudden exit after their 37-6 defeat to Cronulla.

However, Elliott’s acting successor, Andrew McFadden, says he notices a sense of resolve in his camp.

“History tells us that, after these sorts of things, players get up and I feel that,” he said.

“I feel they’re really determined. They’re not happy with last week. I think they’re really going to focus on this game because we owe it to the members and fans.”

Hooker Nathan Friend said it was surprising how often teams bounced back immediately after a coaching switch.

“It’s amazing how the mindset changes,” he said.

“Hopefully we get out there and the tradition continues.”

However, this hasn’t been a routine coaching resignation, or sacking, depending on whose version of events are to be believed.

It was followed by a war of words between co-owners Eric Watson and Sir Owen Glenn, the latter believing Elliott was badly treated.

How the public spat has affected the players remains to be seen on their return to Eden Park, where they carry the monkey of having lost all four previous matches there.

While the Warriors’ two-win, three-loss start to 2014 is sub-par, tackling machine Friend and prop Jacob Lillyman have been among those to stand out.

Both were again to the fore against the Sharks, Friend pulling off 62 tackles and Lillyman carting the ball up 143 metres.

Lillyman said it wasn’t a case of whether the Warriors might rebound against the Bulldogs, it was a case of having to.

“We played a major part in what happened to Matty through our performances,” he said.

“We owe it to him, everyone at the club and the supporters to come out with a good performance.”

Lillyman said the biggest disappointment for him so far this season was the Warriors’ inability to play to their potential.

“I know how good this team can be,” he said.

“We’re capable of so much and we haven’t delivered. Hopefully this is the ultimate wake-up for everyone.”

The Bulldogs finished last weekend second on the table, after edging the Sydney Roosters 9-8, five-eighth Josh Reynolds underlining a strong display with the match-winning field goal.

They have the best defence in the competition, with an average of 12 points conceded a match and they produced plenty of aggression in that department against the premiers.

Lillyman said the Bulldogs’ line speed had been a feature this season.

The Warriors, meanwhile, have the worst defence in the league, leaking almost 28 points a game, so know they need to stiffen up.

“The Bulldogs have some real toilers but also, especially through James Graham, they move the ball a bit around the middle,” Lillyman said.

“We’re going to have to be strong as a line, but if we turn up with the right attitude we can really put in a solid performance.”