It’s the mark of a good team when they can rack up wins without playing well, but Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce claims the signs are there that the NRL surprise packets are running into some form.

The Roosters are nicely nestled in the top eight with three wins from their opening five games, but the general consensus seems to be that they are more than a touch fortunate to be there.

A lucky escape against South Sydney in the opening round was followed by a struggling effort to down an undermanned Canberra – while they were also towelled up by a red-hot Melbourne in round four.

Heading into Saturday night’s clash against Gold Coast at Skilled Park, Pearce concedes the Roosters haven’t set the world on fire in 2012, but says there were more than a few indications in last week’s big win over the Warriors that things were starting to click.

“We know more than anyone that we haven’t really started the season that well, but I think on the weekend, we put a high-scoring game up there. We played really well,” Pearce said.

“It was nice to play how we should and we can.

“We’ve had confidence from the start of the season that we can do well.

“It’s good that we’ve had a few wins up and we’re sitting in a good spot.”

Pearce claims the Roosters aren’t on their own in striving for consistency.

“Besides Melbourne, a lot of the clubs are in a pretty similar position now,” he said.

“They’re up and down. The team that gets the most consistency early will kick on through the comp.”

Gold Coast’s much-publicised off-field distractions continued with the sale of the club’s Centre of Excellence, which did little to clear up the doubts over the future of the financially-stricken club.

Skipper Scott Prince admitted it was a distraction after last week’s loss to Canterbury, but their on-field fortunes could get a boost with the return of Jamal Idris from a hamstring injury.

Idris completed Friday’s final training run, but will be monitored before he is given the all-clear.

“He got through that session and we’ll do some more work on him,” Titans coach John Cartwright said.

“We’ve got a meeting in the morning and we’ll finalise the 17 then.”

Back-rower Mark Minichiello is an unlikely starter as he struggles to overcome an ankle injury.