'It's going to be embarrassing': Brad Fittler sounds alarm as Eels' defensive frailties laid bare

Brad Fittler has raised the alarm following Parramatta's woeful home defeat against the Gold Coast Titans, warning that the side needs to find answers fast before meeting the Bulldogs on Sunday.

A wounded-looking Eels outfit was booed off the field by fans after a 52-10 thrashing, the worst defeat in what has been a difficult start to the season. The blue and golds have already conceded a staggering 226 points across the first six rounds.

Speaking to Nine's Today, Fittler highlighted the club's worrying defensive performances.

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"Well, thank god I was working so I didn't have to watch that game, it just sounded awful," Fittler said.

"If you have a look at the statistics, they're - I believe - averaging now 37 points against them every week.

"So you just can't win games."

He acknowledged the team's injury toll, with Sam Tuivaiti and Kelma Tuilagi adding to the club's already bulging casualty ward and out of their round seven clash with the Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon.

"I know they have injuries and a lot of teams go through this, but you've still gotta defend your line," he said.

"And you got the Dogs who were awesome against Penrith on Thursday night so this is the game next Sunday, it'll be a belter of a crowd and if they don't do anything this week, it's going to be embarrassing."

The victory marked only the second time in Gold Coast's history that they scored 50 points, embarrassing the Eels and showing plenty of life under Josh Hannay.

Parramatta head coach Jason Ryles cut a dejected figure post-match, admitting fans were "well within their rights" to boo and express their frustrations.

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"We just got 50 put on us at our home ground, so the fans are well within their right to be doing that. They're a huge part of what we're doing and it's disappointing that we performed like that in front of them," Ryles said.

"It's really disappointing. I didn't see it coming. (There were) some not really good signs there.

"It's certainly a challenge.

"Today for me was disappointing from the point of view that the spirit wasn't there. Last week (against the Tigers) I saw some fight that I'd never seen before, and then this week I didn't see it.

"Some individuals made some decisions that hopefully they wouldn't make again, so that's something that we need to get to the bottom of really quickly.

"Whoever does come in for those guys that are injured, it's really important they understand that NRL is a tough business, and if you're not ready to go right from the start, today happens.

"Right across the board, we just need to get to the bottom of why we lacked that desire today, which I've not seen at all from this group in the 18 months that I've been here. Not for one second.

"So that was probably the most disappointing part."

Skipper Mitch Moses was equally baffled regarding his team's showing, admitting he "didn't really have many answers...to be honest."

"We've been losing our start every single game probably this year, and then when you look up at the scoreboard you're down by 18, 20 and chasing your tail.

"It doesn't make it easy there."

Parramatta will host the Bulldogs at home on Sunday afternoon.