Manly coach Geoff Toovey admits he can’t put his finger on the reason his side are struggling against lesser sides, but promised an improved performance against St George Illawarra.

The Dragons will arrive at Brookvale Oval on Friday night to take on a Sea Eagles side reeling from a poor display in a 22-4 defeat to struggling Penrith last Sunday.

The premiers have also lost to the Gold Coast this season and handed Parramatta their only win of the season in round five.

Toovey made his players sit through a DVD of last Sunday’s clash with the Panthers but denied he needed to read the riot act.

“It wasn’t pretty, but in today’s game, if a team doesn’t perform to the top of their ability then they are going to get a bit of a hiding,” Toovey said.

“The players are smart and on their game, and they know, I didn’t have to point that out to them and we move on.”

The Sea Eagles have already lost to the Dragons, 17-6, in round four at Kogarah.

Despite that defeat, Toovey said he wasn’t too disappointed with how his side played that night but admitted the Dragons are a side Manly struggle against.

The Dragons have won the last four matches against Manly but Toovey is confident of bucking that trend, with five-eighth Kieran Foran returning from injury.

“We haven’t had too much success against them in the past, they’re a very well balanced side across the park,” he said.

“But I thought we played well that game and I’m sure our boys will be inspired to perform well.

“And the home ground advantage may get us over the line.”

Steve Matai misses the game through suspension, but Toovey said he’s confident Anthony Watmough will recover from a shoulder injury and will play.