Barba prepares to feel the axe

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BESIEGED Broncos fullback Ben Barba says he is letting his teammates down and is facing the prospect of being dumped to the Queensland Cup.

In an honest critique following his side's heartbreaking 12-8 loss to the Titans, Barba says he is testing Brisbane's patience after his "terrible" showing in the Queensland derby.

The big-name import had a bitter-sweet Friday night at Cbus Super Stadium.

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Barba shaped as the hero when he produced a magnificent try-saving tackle on Mark Minichiello in the 65th minute, using his foot and hand to wedge the ball millimetres above the turf.

But nine minutes later, Barba was a shattered soul.

Allowing a high kick to bounce, Barba leapt in his in-goal to defuse it, only to be stripped of possession by Aidan Sezer, who duly scored the match-winner.

Given his outstanding effort on Minichiello, Barba deserved a better finale.

But the Broncos custodian wants no sympathy after taking responsibility for the Titans' great escape.

"It was terrible," a crestfallen Barba told The Sunday Mail. "I was happy with that (Minichiello tackle), but in saying that, I have one job in particular ... and that's to be safe under the high ball.

Ben Barba has had a difficult start to his career with the Broncos. Source: Getty Images

"To be honest, I have to find something soon or I could find myself playing Queensland Cup in the next few weeks."

Barba's opening six weeks have produced a mixed bag.

His first month was solid and featured some confident plays, laying on a four-pointer for Dale Copley against his former club the Bulldogs with a pinpoint grubber in round one.

He also produced a slick inside ball for a Matt Gillett try in Brisbane's crushing 36-20 round four win over the Dragons.

But in the past fortnight, Barba's confidence has taken a hit.

He was poor against Parramatta, and made three errors in the derby – the first in the 17th minute when he grassed a Titans bomb.

On the eve of the Titans clash, Barba approached coach Anthony Griffin seeking feedback on his game.

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Griffin has assured Barba he is happy with his contributions.

But without a try or line break in six games for his new club, the 2012 Dally M Medallist is not satisfied with his output.

"Personally, I feel I'm letting these boys down," he said.

"I've got to find something because I can't keep doing this every week.

"I'm disappointed, because these boys work so hard and I'm the one letting them down.

"I need to look at myself and turn it around."

Broncos prop Ben Hannant, who played alongside Barba at the Bulldogs, said the 24-year-old needed time to settle at Red Hill.

"He'll bounce back," Hannant said.

Ben Barba weighs up his options as he runs the ball against the Titans. Source: Getty Images

"He didn't have his best night (against the Titans), but he's a top-class player and we have every bit of confidence that he will find his form.

"It's a new club, new structures, it will take time for Benny. But look out when he does find his confidence and where he needs to be."

Brisbane enforcer Josh McGuire dismissed suggestions Barba's self-belief had been eroded.

"I don't think it's a confidence thing," he said.

"I think he lost sight of it (the high kick) and I wouldn't want to be back there trying to catch it.

"Barbs is having a tough time at the moment with all the criticism but the team is behind him 100 per cent.

"We're a tight-knit group here. If one guy is having a hard time, the whole team feels it and we have to get through it as a team.

"I have full faith in Ben. He is a freakish player. It was just a freak moment and hopefully he bounces back next week."

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