Vultures are circling with reports suggesting the Broncos are keen on out-of-sorts Josh Hodgson and that England's Warrington Wolves are keeping a close eye on homesick George Williams' situation.

A group of vile keyboard warriors masquerading as Raiders fans have taken to attacking injured captain Jarrod Croker on social media. Of all the players at this club, none have offered more than their fearless leader.

Should Raiders fans be worried?

Less than two years ago they were one ordinary refereeing decision away from potentially celebrating a first premiership since 1994.

Last year Canberra backed it up with a preliminary final appearance, despite an injury crisis which included Hodgson, and an exhaustive same-day travel schedule induced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three wins from four matches to start the year suggested all was rosy in 2021 and that the Raiders deserved their billing as premiership contenders.

But the past month has been abysmal on the field with Ricky Stuart's men slumping to four straight losses for the first time since 2018.

There's an ethos at the Raiders, strongly driven by Stuart, which suggests no player is bigger than the club.

This was borne of an era when giants of the game called the Raiders home. The likes of Stuart, Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley Steve Walters and Brett Mullins helped the club win three premierships in six seasons.

Tim Sheens was at the helm. Rarely did his players need a clip during those glory years, but when they did, they took their medicine and responded on the field.

Stuart now coaches in an era where players don't respond to tough love.

If they're not happy, they tell their agent who then happily shops their client around to another club for another deal. Player managers wield far too much power, and their mercenary approach can sometimes wear off onto their clients.

But under Stuart, the club will always be put first and if a player doesn't want to be there, the coach has every confidence in a younger player to fill their place.

There's no one more determined to arrest this form slump than Stuart. He's had to clip his players a few times this year for below-par efforts, and not all of them have responded.

Hodgson has relinquished captaincy duties. Josh Papalii decided a week off was the tonic he needed.

Williams and his partner Charlotte are genuinely homesick, with a baby on the way and no foreseeable trip back home to England for a much-needed visit to family and friends.

Home sickness is no doubt a side effect of pregnancy. So are four straight losses.

There's still time for the Raiders to save their season. A win against lowly Newcastle in Wagga could conceivably precede a triumph over Canterbury next weekend. Should Canberra win those two, Stuart's men would be back to 50 per cent and the recent rumblings will quieten down.

Lose to Newcastle or the Bulldogs? Then it's time to worry.