Phil Gould believes the reality of Daly Cherry-Evans' off-season move didn't truly set in until the Roosters' clash against the Warriors last Friday.
Cherry-Evans had an underwhelming debut for his new club in a shock 42-18 loss across the ditch.
The 37-year-old has since been the target of criticism as he tries to become accustomed to a new halves partner in Sam Walker. Cherry-Evans had spent a decade and a half playing for Manly previously.
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Gould wasn't too concerned for the Roosters as a whole but explained it would've certainly been a unique feeling for Cherry-Evans in Auckland.
"It's not unusual for them to start the year slowly, they did it last year, they pick up quickly," he said on Nine's 100% Footy.
"But for Daly Cherry-Evans, and I've seen this a lot with players who transfer clubs late in their career, they go off to training and train through the off-season and think everything is all right and then that day comes where you've got to put on that new jersey and run out into the NRL game and go again and then it gets very real.
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"It got very real for him the other night. I think he'll be a lot better for the run and better for the experience and so too will be the Roosters.
"That combination might take a little while but they're both experienced players. But I think it hit him (Cherry-Evans) in the face the other night that 'I'm not a Manly boy anymore, I'm here with the Roosters'. Until you actually get out and do it, you're not quite sure."
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The task for the Roosters doesn't get any easier now with a massive derby match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday night.
It will be a big occasion for the Rabbitohs with Alex Johnston eyeing off Ken Irvine's record for most tries scored.
The Roosters will play the Panthers in round three and then Manly.
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