Phil Gould dispels Cherry-Evans theory behind Manly's worrying form slide

Phil Gould believes Manly's dip in form isn't down to the impending departure of Daly Cherry-Evans, describing it as a "coincidence".

Since Cherry-Evans made the call that he's leaving Manly, the Sea Eagles have been successful in one match out of four.

In the first match against the Eels, Tom Trbojevic suffered an injury and has not played since.

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Gould believes this is the reason behind Manly's slide.

"I think it's no coincidence Tom Trbojevic has been injured because they've always struggled without him," he said on Nine's 100% Footy.

"They just haven't been able to get their game on."

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Manly's latest loss came against the Dragons, in a scrappy Thursday night affair.

Neither side was able to play with any consistency in their attack with Gould describing it as a "bizarre game of rugby league" on commentary.

The league expert doubled down.

"I couldn't believe what I was seeing the other night with the Manly Sea Eagles and just how many fundamental errors they made ... which was really unlike them," he said.

"In the end they were beaten by a 90 metre Tyrell Sloan try ... as bad as Manly were they nearly could've won that game.

"It just hasn't been Manly at all the last three weeks and people will want to point to the decision by Cherry-Evans, I don't think that's it at all. I lean more towards Tom Trbojevic."

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Manly's round eight match will be against the Penrith Panthers on Saturday with Trbojevic not projected to return until round nine.