Foran admits he's not playing well enough

You don't have to remind Kieran Foran how much Canterbury have invested in him and the expectations that come with it.

He's been handed a four-year contract on superstar money, but after 10 rounds of the season he hasn't lived up to that.

He knows that. And he isn't hiding away from it.

Canterbury need Foran to perform at a far higher standard if they are to be competitive throughout his tenure at the club, especially when you consider they won't be able to spend big money on luring players to the club for a couple of years because of salary cap issues.

"I'm not happy with my form, I'm my own harshest critic and I set my standards high," Foran said.

"I know I'm not playing to my ability or the ability the team needs me at; at the moment. I'm realistic, too, and know I've missed a lot of footy [over] the last few years, I'm coming back from a few injuries, so it will take time to find that flow again.

"Playing each week you can build on your game and get stronger. I'm working hard and know if I work hard it will turn eventually."

There's an argument that Foran hasn't been the same player since leaving the Manly Sea Eagles.

A range of personal issues plagued his short stint with the Parramatta Eels, while injuries denied him the chance to have a meaningful impact at the New Zealand Warriors last season.

Foran has played his best football with a halves partner controlling the show, but the roles are reversed at the Bulldogs and the onus is on him to steer the team around the paddock.

"I've been fortunate and privileged during my career to play alongside some great halves," Foran said.

"Now I'm more experienced and the dominant half, I need to be in the 80 every minute, controlling the team and trying to do my bit.

"Being on the ball all the time takes it out of your tank, and especially when you're getting worked over in defence the way I am at the moment.

"I'm getting my fair share of blokes coming at me. It's gone up tenfold. I'm making double the amount of tackles in previous years. It could be a number of things.

''Either they think I'm busted, can't defend or want to tire me out. You just cop it on the chin and work your game around it."