Adam Blair and Gerard Beale aren't responsible for changing the Warriors poor culture, according to Kiwi selector Hugh McGahan.
He told Radio Sport's Martin Devlin that players had enough to worry about settling into a new club, without being expected to whip team mates into shape.
Blair and Beale - whose signings have yet to be confirmed - are copping the backlash from Warriors fans frustrated at years of under-achievement by the club.
McGahan said both players "have got qualities that (coach) Stephen Kearney is looking for and they will be good for the club".
"It's not about what they are bringing, but what environment they are moving in to, a place with a bit of turmoil for the want of a better term," said McGahan, one of the great backrowers of his era.
"There has been a lot of disruption within the place, there has been some uncertainty over potential buyers. My fear is about the environment they are coming in to, an environment that needs to change.
"All players can do is reinforce the behaviours that Stephen wants in the place. He enforces it, don't leave it up to the players, who have a tough enough time coming to a new club.
"They re settling into a new environment, settling their families in, and getting to know everyone else from a playing point of view.
"...to then have to worry about how other guys are training - that's not their job. They have to worry about getting on, rather than getting offside."
To highlight the difficulties, McGahan pointed out that highly regarded players like Ryan Hoffman and Issac Luke had made little impression on the club, and could not even play up to their own best form.
Aucklander McGahan, a former Kiwis captain, was among the trans-Tasman trailblazers playing more than 100 games for glamour club Eastern Suburbs, including as a player-coach.
He was delighted after potential Warriors buyer Paul Davys pulled out when current owner Eric Watson demanded $20m, and revealed the Warriors felt the same.
"I've got to be honest - I was glad the guy didn't get it," he said.
"My understanding is he was a bit erratic...ringing up players before he had even bought the club, saying I'm going to change this, do this. When it was finally announced (Davys was pulling out) there was a round of applause at the team meeting amongst the players."