League: Kearney dismisses claims Eels are robots under his tenure

Stephen Kearney. Photo / Getty Images

Parramatta NRL coach Stephen Kearney maintains he's the right man for the job and dismissed claims he has turned the struggling Eels side into a team of robots.

Saturday's 42-6 humiliation against North Queensland was the Eels' third successive defeat - the first time the club has lost its first three games of the season since 1991.

However, the New Zealand test coach is confident he can turn things around and is under no illusions as to the size of the task.

"I was quite adamant it was our defence on Saturday but, overall, our performance wasn't up to scratch full stop," Kearney said. "Our focus is making sure we turn up on Friday night and put in a performance for our fans. I have confidence in everyone here including myself."

The Eels managed a paltry one offload and a single line break in Townsville in addition to missing 42 tackles. However, Kearney denied his team play in a sterile fashion.

"I think robots would have done a better job in defence the other night," he said. "I haven't read that about us playing like robots, but I don't think it's true and not an issue."

Kearney played down being under pressure, despite his side only recording six wins in 27 games under his leadership.

Skipper Nathan Hindmarsh said there were some home truths expressed between the players after the game.

"It was quite embarrassing to be honest," Hindmarsh said. "As a group, we're better than that. As a performance, it was not good enough ...

"But sometimes the harder you try, the harder it becomes. But everyone here is trying, I can assure you." AAP