'Bite the bullet': Penrith great Mark Geyer calls for simple Matt Burton change to help Bulldogs' form

A simple shift of position for Matt Burton could be the key to getting the Canterbury Bulldogs back to their winning form, according to Mark Geyer.

It has been a month since many were led to believe that the Bulldogs had finally shaken off their sluggish start to the season after they recorded a statement win over the then undefeated Panthers in round six.

However, that 32-16 win now seems like an "anomaly" in the eyes of league greats as Cameron Ciraldo's men have failed to record a win since that epic battle.

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Calls for changes to key positions have only intensified since that match against the four-time premiers, with the halves combination and middle forwards under fire.

Ciraldo admitted after a 28-12 loss at home to the Cowboys on Friday that his team's defence was "not good enough" and that the players are "a bit low on confidence".

"There is a lot of commentary about (their lack of confidence) so we need to make sure we are listening to the voices within our four walls and not everyone else," the Bulldogs coach said.

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Ciraldo then admitted he may "possibly" need to make changes to the squad, although his options are limited due to suspension and injuries.

But Geyer believes moving Burton out of the halves could unlock new ground for the Bulldogs.

"I think they have to bite the bullet and put Matt Burton at lock," the Penrith great said on 2GB's The Continuous Call Team.

"I think he is a lock forward ... and I don't think (Lachlan) Galvin is a seven, he is a six.

"Burton dead set has to be in the middle of the field and they have to use his ball skills around there."

If Ciraldo were to take on Geyer's proposed position movements, he would not be short of options to step into the boots in the halves left by Burton.

Sean O'Sullivan has filled the role in the past but was left to play in NSW Cup in round nine after coming back from suspension. Mitchell Woods is also an option to wear the No.7, as is Alex Conti, neither have played first grade football.

Geyer reiterated that despite his call for changes to be made at the Bulldogs, he does not feel as though he is watching a team that has given up entirely.

"Are they trying? Yes, they are trying, no team doesn't try," he added.

"No team likes to lose. You can see in Cameron Ciraldo's press conferences that it hurts him.

"But Burton just needs to get his hands on the ball more, and I think that has to be in and around the ruck at No.13."

The Bulldogs will make the trip to Suncorp Stadium on Thursday to face the Dolphins.