The Wests Tigers are bracing themselves for a fired up Chris Sandow when they face Parramatta on Sunday.

The Eels have chalked up just one NRL win in 2012 and it’s no secret that, as their marquee recruit, Sandow is wearing the bulk of the criticism for their slow start.

The 23-year-old was asked by coach Stephen Kearney to play for Eels feeder team Wentworthville in the NSW Cup last weekend but pulled out with a shoulder injury which also has him in minor doubt for this weekend.

But Tigers skipper Robbie Farah has put his teammates on high alert to expect something special should the besieged halfback take to Parramatta Stadium as expected.

And Farah knows more than most how a player can be motivated by criticism in the media.

“They’ve come under a fair bit of criticism,” Farah said on Thursday.

“I know first hand as a footy player when you get criticised in the media you take it personally and you come out with a point to prove.

“I’m sure certain individuals and Parramatta as a club will have a definite point to prove this Sunday.

“We’re going to have to do a big job (on Sandow). He’s a player that’s hurt us in the past.

“We know what he’s capable of and he hasn’t been playing the way he’s wanted to play since he’s moved to his new club.

“I’m sure he’ll come out with a point to prove.”

At South Sydney, Sandow spearheaded a number of unlikely victories over the Tigers that still don’t sit well with Tim Sheens.

“Chris Sandow always reserves his best for us,” the Tigers mentor said.

“If you go back through some of the Souths games he’s had against us, he’s always played well.

“He’s been criticised, as has (Tigers five-eighth) Benji (Marshall). They bounce back from those sorts of things.”