The Bulldogs started the year in a blaze of glory with back-to-back wins over Coolamon and Wagga Tigers before crashing back to earth with four consecutive losses.

Carroll is confident the worst is behind his group and there were plenty of promising signs in last week’s nine-point loss to Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes.

“We went back to basics, had eight or nine out, we had four debutants who all played excellent and we nearly got away with the win,” Carroll said.

“We played some great footy and weren’t far off. I wasn’t surprised by that because we played some good footy until the last three weeks.

“I feel if we can string it together again on the weekend, it will go a long way towards winning the game.”

Helping Turvey Park’s cause is the likely return of six players.

Bryce McPherson is available this week, while Brad Ashcroft (hamstring), Josh Ashcroft (groin), Ryan Pollack (foot), Dane Campbell (back) and Lachie Quilter (concussion) are expected to be declared fit.

Carroll is confident the Bulldogs are ready to turn things around.

“It’s all a learning experience, as a group and for me as a coach,” Carroll said.

“I feel like we nullified areas that we performed badly in over the last month and we have got that out of the road now and can come back strong for the back half of the year.

“If we can get everyone healthy and fit, things are looking up.”

Despite the losing streak, Turvey Park are still in touch with the top five.

They sit in sixth position with only eight per cent separating them from fifth spot.

The Bulldogs take on the winless Narrandera team on Saturday and then face fifth-placed Leeton-Whitton to reach the half-way mark of the home and away season.

“The next two weeks are massive for us,” Carroll said.

“It’s all a big learning experience for myself and the players but I feel as though we’re on top of it now.

“We’ve had four tough games, now we’re hoping for a win.”

Turvey Park will go in without Alex Burgmann, who has requested a clearance back to North Wagga after six senior games with the Bulldogs.

Narrandera will also be hungry for the win, given they are yet to register a victory this season.

The Eagles will come in with some confidence after putting in one of their best displays of the year against MCUE last outing.

They led the Goannas at three-quarter-time but were overrun and then had the bye last week.

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