London Broncos star Craig Gower has backed coach Rob Powell to turn the club's fortunes around after a fifth straight defeat of the new Super League season on Friday.

Powell's men crashed 44-12 at Salford City Reds, but only late tries from David Howell and Antonio Kaufusi took the score to somewhere near respectability.

The Broncos have won only three of their past 29 Super League clashes and their fortunes have not altered since re-branding as the Broncos and recruiting heavily in the close season.

Powell was left questioning his own methods after the latest reverse, but Gower believed it is the players who need to take the blame.

"Rob is a great young coach. People are quick to criticise, but it is the players who have to go out there and perform," he said.

"He is doing the right things for us and it is a case of us taking that out on to the pitch."

Broncos had targeted a top eight finish this term having recruited fresh blood over the winter, including Australia-born former Italian rugby union international Gower.

And the 33-year-old St Margarets-based star has warned team mates they must get their act together before it is too late.

"We have to do better. It is about 17 blokes playing to the best of their ability and it starts this week," he added.

"We are not performing the way we should be. We are not reading defences and we are not making tackles.

"We need to fix that up quickly otherwise our season is going to be over midway through it."