Pressure on North Queensland coach Paul Green as Cowboys struggle

COWBOYS coach Paul Green concedes pressure is building on his team as it fails to live up to finals expectations.

Cowboys Johnathan Thurston after being hurt in a tackle during the Newcastle Knights v North Queensland Cowboys rugby league game at Hunter Stadium, Newcastle. Pic Brett Costello

COWBOYS coach Paul Green concedes pressure is building on his team as it fails to live up to finals expectations.

Green said the club was feeling the frustration of a season which is threatening to unravel after their shock loss to the lowly Knights on Monday night.

The Cowboys were rated title contenders in February after rookie coach Green delivered instant success, steering the club to its maiden title at the Auckland Nines.

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Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys watches on.

But North Queensland are now on the brink of turmoil, with injuries to senior players and a shocking 0-7 away record leaving the side languishing in 11th spot.

To compound their woes, Ray Thompson (hamstring) and Rory Kostjasyn (rib cartilage) could miss Saturday night’s clash with big guns Souths in Townsville.

Green challenged his injury-hit squad to be mentally tougher and said he was not satisfied with the Cowboys’ spluttering 6-8 record.

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“I would have liked to be higher,’’ Green said.

“We’re all feeling a bit of frustration because we know we're better than what we're showing.

“If you pinpoint two games, we should have won against Manly and the Broncos early on, but every team can talk about which games they should have won.

“There's pressure every week. It’s a tough job, but I knew that coming into it. We’re in a dogfight now.’’

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Dane Gagai of the Knights scores a try.

Home wins will no longer guarantee a finals appearance, so a sequence of road trips will make or break their season.

The Cowboys face difficult away assignments against the Dragons, Cronulla, Bulldogs, Panthers and the Rabbitohs over the next eight weeks.

Green estimates the Cowboys must win at least four of their final five away games, a Mission Impossible scenario given their dismal road record this year.

Cowboys Johnathan Thurston after being hurt in a tackle.

Fullback Michael Morgan says the Cowboys’ away form is a mystery and admits crashing out of finals contention would be unacceptable.

“We’ll be filthy if we don’t make the finals,’’ he said.

“We’re a better side than what we showed (against Newcastle).

“I honestly don’t know why we aren’t winning away from home. There is obviously a problem.

“Defensively on the road we need to be better if we want to mix it with the best.’’

Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys grimaces.

On current evidence, the Cowboys are the code's biggest underachievers but Green disputed that label, saying the loss of Matt Scott, Brent Tate and Gavin Cooper had hurt their defensive structures.

“I don’t think that tag is fair but I'm definitely disappointed in our results,’’ he said.

“People start talking about our away record and under pressure players start tightening up rather than trusting what we do.

“The battle I have got is not getting the continuity with the team to practise what we do.

“If guys are on deck, you can work on that and everyone understands their role and what we are doing. When we are disrupted the way we are, it’s hard to build momentum.’’