'Unacceptable': The Bulldogs were humiliated 38-0 by Penrith last Sunday. Credit:Mark Kolbe/Getty Images "Des is a family man – you won't find a person who is more family-orientated," Dib says. "He's very private but a strong family man with strong values. He's a winner, he researches thoroughly and puts in more effort than anyone else. But he's not getting the results, the players aren't getting the results and we're not getting the results we're wishing for. It's like when you build or modify a car, there are always going to be some hiccups. "Sometimes you've got to go backwards to go forwards. I know it hasn't clicked yet but we're in a better place this year. "In 2014 we lost four or five on the trot and in the back half of the year we won eight or nine in a row [to make the grand final]. We're hoping we can replicate '14." Castle is also adamant Hasler can get the team out of its current slump.

Plenty of baggage: Big-name 2018 recruit Kieran Foran. Credit:Mark Kolbe/Getty Images "We believe so, that's why we signed him," she says. "You don't have the level of experience and the number of years coaching at that level with a record second only to Craig Bellamy over the last 10 years. That's very hard to argue with. With that level of experience you know how to get out of these situations. We're confident Des can take us forward and that's why the club chose to re-sign him." DOES THE CAP FIT? Fan favourite: Josh Reynolds is moving to the Wests Tigers. Credit:Mark Nolan/Getty Images A salary-cap figure has not yet been set for next year, but wherever it lands the Bulldogs will be over it. Several contracted stars will be feeling the squeeze due to a raft of back-ended deals and the recruitment of Kieran Foran and Aaron Woods.Sam Kasiano will be the first to go when he joins Melbourne next year, but other big names are also in the firing line. There has been speculation that several stars, including James Graham, Greg Eastwood, Moses Mbye and Morris twins Brett and Josh may be tapped on the shoulder.

Asked if the uncertainty about players' futures was affecting their performance, Hasler said: "No it hasn't, they are professional athletes and understand that player movement is part of the modern football environment." His sentiments were echoed by Graham, who stated: "I don't buy into that at all, that's not the reason why we're dropping the ball more regularly than we usually do. "Obviously in an ideal world players would want their future sorted and if it's not you could only presume that would want to perform to the best of their ability in order to get that next contract." The Bulldogs have been accused of spending beyond their means, but Castle said they would definitely be cap compliant for 2018 and beyond. "We have a plan A, B and C depending on where the salary cap number ends up landing," she says.

"'Offload' is one word to use but I'd [prefer referring to them] as contracted players that may be released in order to develop their career elsewhere. It's a reality of modern-day football. If a player can finish early with a club and get the opportunity to go two or three years somewhere else when we have no intention of re-contracting them, it might be opportune for them to move now. IS FORAN'S SIGNING A RISK? Foran is one of the game's best playmakers, but his off-field troubles have raised questions about how he will handle Sydney life again. Castle believes Foran's reunion with Hasler won't be a gamble. "We don't believe so, that's why we have made the decision to recruit him," she said. "We're very confident of his on-field capabilities and we've worked with his management to ensure his off-field support structures are in place so that he can be the best Kieran Foran that he can be. "The Bulldogs have some of the strongest welfare support systems in place and the most important thing is that's what Kieran wants as well. He wants to be back here with his children, he wants that weekly contact with them and be the best father he can be. That's a really important driver at a family club where 21 of our top 25 squad have got children.

"This is a really good environment to come into and we're looking forward to his family being an important part of it as well." WHERE'S THE LOCAL JUNIORS? Reynolds is one of the few local products to make it into the first-grade ranks in recent years – and now he's about to go. It has raised fresh concerns about talent identification at the Bulldogs. Their structure has been overhauled in the off-season, with former player Andy Patmore charged with junior development. "Andy has played here, he's got a good feel for who we are and what we're about," Castle said. "It is important we identify and don't miss any talent coming through our ranks. It's also important that we have [recruitment boss] Warren McDonnell looking at options outside that environment because we don't have enough talent just in our backyard."

WILL THE BOARD SURVIVE? Rival tickets are said to be lining up to overthrow the current regime at next year's board elections. Dib, who will be under pressure if there isn't a significant turnaround in results, asked the members to reserve their judgement until the end of the season. "People are entitled to have their say and to put a ticket up," Dib said. "That is the constitutional right of those members, they are a part of the club and IT IS their right to stand for election. "If someone can do the job better than me, I'm ready. I'm not going to be around forever. The buck stops with me, I don't need reminded that the fish rots from the head first. Iknow that, I put my hand up that Iwon't always get it right. I'm not running, I'm not hiding.

"All I ask is that you stick by us, the year isn't over, it's just halfway. "Leave your judgement until the end of the year." FACING THE MUSIC Loading Hasler, Castle and Dib will again face the tough questions when they front a fan forum on Tuesday. Hasler was panned for missing a similar forum after post-game commitments prevented him from attending a similar forum last week.

Asked what his message will be to the Canterbury faithful, Hasler said: "I am looking forward to getting a chance to answer some questions and dispel some of the incorrect speculation. I will be asking them to stick with us as all teams have tough patches but the Bulldogs always find a way to come back fighting."