Under-siege coach Luke Beveridge is adamant the Western Bulldogs will rebound from their 0-2 slump, despite admitting surprise to how poorly the season has started.
The Bulldogs face a massive AFL test on Thursday night when they host Brisbane at Marvel Stadium.
They have made four changes, with young key forward Sam Darcy dropped after he went goalless in their opening two games.
Adam Treloar (hamstring) and Rory Lobb (ankle) were named to return, while Taylor Duryea (illness) is out and Arthur Jones will make his AFL debut as Jason Johannisen also is back in the seniors.
Rhylee West and Toby McLean joined Darcy as omissions.
The Lions lost experienced defender Daniel Rich (quad) and Kaidean Coleman will take his place.
After going down to Melbourne in round one, the Bulldogs were out-worked by underdogs St Kilda last Saturday and only have a five-day break to re-group.
The Lions are coming off an impressive start to their win over the Demons, with Melbourne captain Max Gawn noting his team was mauled at stoppages.
The Bulldogs' slow start inevitably means the media spotlight is on Beveridge, who signed a two-year extension in the off-season.
"I'm aware it's reasonably intense - I welcome it, it's part of my role," Beveridge said of the media scrutiny.
"There are no rebuttals, there's no use me arguing against it.
"Basically we haven't started the year well. Does it affect my belief in myself as a coach? Absolutely not.
"We're in a really good place to rebound out of it."
Beveridge said the Bulldogs' offence had not been at its best and their team defence also needed improvement.
"It's striking a balance between making sure they have clarity, the boys, (about) tomorrow night and also understanding the pressing need to make sure we give a really strong account of themselves," he said.
"It's more the nature of the losses that have everyone up in arms.
"As much as it's surprised us to a significant degree, we've been here before where we've had a little trough and then we've come out of it pretty quickly.
"I'm really confident that's going to happen."
But whatever is going wrong at the kennel, Beveridge is adamant fitness is not the problem.
"It has been a real surprise that we just haven't been able to play the quarters out, in the phases, for as long as we absolutely believe we could," he said.
"But we have no concerns that we're capable of it."
Thursday night will be the first time the Bulldogs come up against former teammate Josh Dunkley, but Beveridge said nothing special will be made of it.
"I will steer clear of it - there are too many imperatives and priorities for us to make sure we get right for there to be this by-play.
"We need to get our stuff right ... Josh will be just another Brisbane player."
Beveridge said the mood at the club remains positive, despite the early-season hole.
"In a sense, they (players) absolutely feel that we've all let our supporter-base down. We're looking to atone and make amends, but the mood is terrific," he said.
"When you consider the ebb and sway of the results, we absolutely believe we can test the Lions out."
