While the Eels are $8 underdogs to end their seven-game losing streak and inflict the first home loss on the Raiders this season, Stuart's individual coaching record against the club he led to premiership glory shows he may have the secret to breaking down the Green Machine.

Stuart has an impressive 77 per cent success rate when he coaches against the Raiders heading into Saturday night's encounter at Canberra Stadium.

From the 18 times he has faced the Raiders in charge of either the Sydney Roosters or Cronulla Sharks from 2002 to 2010, Stuart has collected the two premiership points on 14 occasions. He won seven in a row with the Roosters before suffering his first loss in 2005.

Stuart's winning percentage against the Raiders is far higher than his overall mark of just over 50 per cent.

It's no wonder then given his links to the Raiders from his playing days and his coaching career with club, state and country, that he has often been tied to a return to his former club.

Stuart's name was bandied about as a possible replacement for David Furner when his position came under immense scrutiny in 2011.

The Raiders had a club record-equalling eight-game losing streak that year before finishing second-last on the ladder.

Furner was again under the pump last year before an end of season resurgence rocketed the Raiders into the finals.

It goes without saying Stuart hasn't had the same success with the Eels in his first season in charge.

Parramatta is in the middle of a seven-game losing streak and is stuck to the bottom of the ladder, with three wins from 16 games this year. Stuart has made his intentions clear: he wants to start with a clean slate, telling 12 players they won't be at the club next season.

Eels hooker Matt Keating is one of those playing for a contract for 2014. He was linked with a possible move to the Raiders before they re-signed dummy-half Glen Buttriss.

Keating believed the dust had settled and morale within the playing group had begun to slowly improve despite the results on the scoreboard.

''You can't dwell on them things, them things happened,'' he said. ''You've got to step up and each individual has a job to do.

''Ricky has tried to be positive week in and week out. He's been happy with our attitude in the past few weeks and we've got to build towards the end of the season.

''It's not going to turn around overnight. If each individual does their job, we'll have a better team performance.''