Canterbury stars have dismissed suggestions the NRL club is in crisis, claiming their tough patch and speculation over the future of coach Kevin Moore will only bring them together.

The Bulldogs slipped out of the top eight with Sunday's embarrassing 26-10 home loss to strugglers Cronulla, Canterbury's fifth loss in their past six games.

Reports have suggested the axe is hovering over Moore's head despite another year to run on his contract.

Hooker Michael Ennis, who missed the ANZ Stadium loss with injury, denied there was any crisis at the club.

"It's the footy season, you go through tough periods and it's Origin time, form can be indifferent through those periods," he said.

"We need to come together as a group over the next month and really put some good performances back to back."

Ennis said the only way to respond to the tough period was for the club to stay united.

"There's always going to be external talk when your side's not performing," he said.

"It's important that we worry about what goes on inside our doors.

"It's not about playing for Kevin, it's about us coming together as a club and playing the way we know we can then outside pressure will ease.

"For me personally, it's not a major concern what's getting written in the paper."

Utility Dene Halatau said the dire situation would bring out the best in one of the NRL's best rosters.

"When the club's under fire as a whole I think we band together," he said.

"Players find when there's a bit of controversy and it's all up against us then we've got to pull ourselves out of that and it sort of brings the best out in people."

Ennis, suspended halfback Trent Hodkinson and centre Jamal Idris, who was stood down by the club for Sunday's game after missing training, will all return for Friday night's clash with the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.

The NSW hooker said Idris was ready to make amends to his team-mates.

"I think Jamal was hurting yesterday seeing the boys playing without him," Ennis said.

"No doubt if he gets an opportunity to be involved with the side on Friday night then ... he'll feel like he owes one to the boys."

Ennis experienced head pain after a procedure for a cauliflower ear suffered in last week's second State of Origin game but is expected to recover in time for the clash with the Tigers.

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