It's not quite panic stations, but the Roosters admit a lot needs to change if they are to find their way back to the NRL finals.

After six matches the 2010 grand finalists have just two wins on the board, and after Saturday night's 24-6 loss to Brisbane, coach Brian Smith accepted that his team was not where they needed to be.

"I think it's in us (but) we've got to do a little bit more to make sure we find it," Smith said.

"Preferably in a hurry."

Halfback Mitchell Pearce, who stepped up his running game and attempted to assert himself to cover for the loss of Dally M medallist Todd Carney (groin), agreed.

"I think we've just got to dig ourselves out of the hole we're in at the moment," he explained.

"We're not in a good place at the moment, as in winning games, but we've got a great coach, a great roster and I'm pretty sure we can dig ourselves out of it."

Skipper Braith Anasta said he had faith in the club to turn things around sooner rather than later.

"It's not ideal," he said.

"We would've liked a better start to the year, but we've got all the players in the world and all the boys know what we can do.

"We've just got to keep working hard. I think when you get into a position like this, things aren't going to happen for you, you've got to make them happen.

"It's up to us to try and start winning games and playing a little bit better footy."

Without Carney, the Roosters attack looked disjointed, and heavily reliant on Pearce - while his teammates combined for 13 errors.

Pearce was hopeful of his halves partner returning for next week's hugely important Anzac Day showdown with St George Illawarra.

"Obviously Toddy's one of our best players and once he gets his groin right he's going to be a great value to us and obviously a player like him is a big loss tonight, but I think as a whole we've just got to knuckle down," Pearce said.

"I think a couple of weeks ago he started running really free. I think he just pinched it a bit, I'm sure he'll be sweet next week hopefully and we can get back to building combos again."

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