Brad Arthur reckons he will find out on Saturday what kind of NRL team he has this year.

Parramatta have been pilloried for their 54-0 humiliation against Manly last week, setting up a pivotal clash against fellow early-season stragglers Cronulla.

Arthur accused his team of failing to show up against the Sea Eagles and admits their reputation as premiership heavyweights is on the line against the Sharks.

“We just need to give ourselves a chance and we’ll get a better indication tomorrow night of what sort of footy team we are,” Arthur said on Friday.

“It’s about the actual performance this week. If we can walk off the field proud in what we’ve done, that’s what the priority is at the moment.

“Then we’ve got a good enough team for the rest to take care of itself.”

Arthur was unsure whether his squad have been guilty of getting swept away with widespread expectations of a top-four finish this season.

The Eels advanced to the final six last year and added prodigal son Jarryd Hayne and prop Kane Evans to their roster this season.

Asked whether his team believed too much in their own hype, Arthur said: “Well, results would say that but I’m not sure. We’ll get a better indication tomorrow night.

“If we go set for set, we’ll know exactly where we’re at and what sort of team we are.”

Hayne is likely to start at fullback against the Sharks after sharing the role with Bevan French in the opening fortnight, moving off his wing in good-ball sets.

However, Arthur stressed the shift wasn’t permanent.

“He’s just going to spend a bit more time there. There hasn’t been anything permanent at the moment,” Arthur said.

“It’s just to give Bevan a hand and get some more touches out of Jarryd.”