Senior Parramatta player Tim Mannah is convinced the struggling NRL club can convert their burst of points against the Wests Tigers into a Cronulla-style turnaround of form.

The Sharks dropped their opening two games of the season despite putting in strong performances before embarking on a six-game winning streak that has cemented them in the top four.

Parramatta, owners of just one victory this season, piled on 30 points in the final 13 minutes in their 31-30 loss to the Tigers on Sunday – a period Mannah hopes can turn their season around and take the pressure off under-fire coach Steve Kearney.

Mannah experienced a similar reversal of form in 2009, when the Eels won seven of the last eight matches of the regular season en route to a grand final appearance, and wants things to start at ANZ Stadium on Friday against Canterbury.

“(Cronulla have) been great and I think that shows you what a team can do once they have belief and a bit of momentum going their way,” Mannah said on Wednesday.

“I kind of experienced that a bit in ’09. When things are going your way, it feels like the ball is bouncing your way and everything is working for you.

“That’s what it felt like that last 15 minutes (against the Tigers).

“We’re hoping we can keep stringing together performances like that over 80 minutes.”

Kearney has been heavily criticised for his selection policy, which resulted in club favourite Luke Burt and star recruit Chris Sandow being dropped to reserve grade.

Not helping matters is his dreadful winning percentage of 21.9 since taking over at the Eels last year – the worst at the club since they took the wooden spoon in 1970 under Ron Lynch.

Mannah admitted the players were desperate to alleviate the pressure on Kearney, saying it hurts to see him copping so much flak.

“It does (hurt) but, knowing Steve, I know he’s very level-headed and doesn’t let the outside world get to him too much and affect the way he does things,” Mannah said.

“I definitely hope that we can get some wins and take some pressure off him because he deserves it.

“Anyone that knows our coaching staff knows how hard they work and leave no stone unturned.

“They really prepare better than we can ever imagine.

“As a player, I’m hoping we can string together some wins and show everyone in the public how quality a coaching staff we really have.”