There are plenty of coaches under pressure in the NRL at the moment and North Queensland’s Todd Payten is now on the list after a horror showing from his Cowboys at Shark Park on Sunday.

The inconsistent Cowboys went into the sheds down 24-0 with Payten conceding his side did not respond to his demand at half-time that his side “fight” against Cronulla only for the home side to run out 42-6 winners.

“I just wanted to see what we had as a group… see some fight that we would show,” Payten said.

“I spoke about the importance of staying connected as a team.

“Then, you know, playing together.

“But again, six points early in the second half really hurts in the way it was scored.”

The 8th placed Cowboys next up host the three-time premiers Penrith on Saturday.