Cameron Ciraldo has downplayed "hysteria" over Canterbury's attack, adamant he sees good signs from a Bulldogs team scoring fewer points than any other.
Last year's semi-finalists average 15 points in attack per game after a month in 2026, a little more than half the 26 per game they were scoring to the same point last season.
Ciraldo raised eyebrows by shifting Stephen Crichton from centre to five-eighth as he looked to ignite the Bulldogs against Newcastle last Saturday.
The new combination produced results, as Matt Burton scored two tries in his new position at left centre.
But after the eventual 24-16 defeat to last season's wooden spooners, Ciraldo gave no thought to changing his starting halves combination of Burton and Lachlan Galvin for the traditional Good Friday clash with South Sydney.
"We've won two games, we've lost one, so I don't think there's any need for panic stations," the Bulldogs coach said.
"A lot got made of 'Critta' moving in a little bit last week. 'Burto' took a bump, needed a little rest out wide, 'Critta' came in and got involved ... we scored two tries pretty quickly after that.Â
"I'm not sure of all the hysteria around that."
Plenty has pleased Ciraldo about the Bulldogs' attack across three games so far, even if landing the final blow has proven difficult.
"We've won the possession every week, we've made the most metres every week, we've also made the most line breaks in each game every week," he said.
"They're all really good signs."
Halfback Galvin has produced only one try assist so far this season despite touching the ball more times on average than any non-hooker.
During the week, NRL legend and media pundit Andrew Johns encouraged Galvin to simplify his game.
Ciraldo said the 20-year-old wasn't the only one who could heed that advice.
"For everyone, it's about simplifying your own game and your team's game at the start of the year," he said.
"Last week we had 60 per cent of possession against us in the first half and our team was looking for a bit of energy. Lachie, because he's so fit, decided to try and give us a bit of a thrust.
"That's awesome, from a team-first perspective. Is there stuff we need to do better? Yeah, and we're all working on that."
Ciraldo is satisfied Bronson Xerri has improved his attitude enough to earn the chance for more first grade.
Media reports emerged Xerri was unhappy at the Bulldogs last month, only hours after the centre was told he would be dropped for round two.
"He's come in and trained hard and worked hard on his game and put the team first," said Ciraldo, who named Xerri on his six-man bench to face Souths.
"I can't commend him enough on that last the last couple of weeks."