‘Todd Payten Stays Focused Amid Challenges as Cowboys Seek Solutions’

Todd Payten is determined to block out the outside distractions that could hinder his plans for the season as he works to uplift his team following a difficult start to the campaign.

The Cowboys have found it challenging to carry their pre-season form into the opening matches, suffering heavy losses in succession against Manly and the Sharks.

Northern Queensland will be eager to turn their fortunes around as they prepare to take on Michael Maguire’s Brisbane Broncos this Friday night.

Despite their rocky beginning, the Cowboys can draw inspiration from their 2015 grand final-winning team. That season, which ended in triumph, saw North Queensland start with three losses but ultimately finish by lifting the premiership trophy in a nail-biting golden point victory against their upcoming rivals.

Last year’s journey was a rollercoaster for the Cowboys, as they still found their way into the finals despite experiencing a streak of five consecutive losses earlier in the season.

Nonetheless, uncertainty lingers regarding Payten’s future as the head coach.

“I won’t deny it, things have been uneasy,” Payten remarked on Thursday.

“Are the boys taking notice? Am I? I know I’m not, but I can certainly sense it through the unintended consequences of texts and messages coming in.”

“There is certainly a lot of chatter, and much of it is warranted, to be fair.”

“We’re the only ones who can turn this around, so I’m looking forward to getting out there and competing in a significant derby match for our club.”

Payten acknowledged that his foremost challenge in recent days has been assuring his players of their ability to stay connected and focus on the tasks at hand.

“The morale is pretty good,” he stated.

“Confidence is low and there are some nerves in the air at the moment, so my role has been to help the lads relax and ensure they are focused on winning their individual battles.”

“It’s crucial that we remain connected, play at ease, and stay present in the moment.

“If we head down to (Suncorp) feeling disconnected and play with tension, we won’t stand a chance, so staying united is key.”

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“I’ve been reaching out to individuals, checking in and reassuring them of their abilities. I’ve provided them with a clear focus for the week ahead.

“We need to confront the physical aspects of the game directly, and our pack will be pivotal in determining how we perform throughout the rest of the match.”

At 46 years old, Payten has made notable adjustments to his squad for round three, confirming the return of Jason Taumalolo from injury and reintroducing Jeremiah Nanai, who was dropped to reserve grade last week, to the starting team, while rookie halfback Tom Duffy drops out to allow for the experience of Jake Clifford.

The showdown between Queensland foes will kick off at 8pm on Friday, March 21.