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First-year North Queensland coach Todd Payten has confirmed he's told forward Josh McGuire to look elswhere for an NRL contract beyond this year.

Josh McGuire has been told to look for a new NRL home by new North Queensland coach Todd Payten, who is searching for answers after four disappointing losses to begin his tenure in Townsville.

The Cowboys were thumped 48-10 on Saturday in a record loss to Cronulla that followed a 44-8 loss to Gold Coast last week.

McGuire, who moved north three seasons ago after 194 games with Brisbane, was seething in his comments after that Titans performance, lambasting their lack of resilience and a "soft underbelly".

After Jake Granville said similar on Saturday Payten said he'd have to agree, while also confirming reports that McGuire was not considered part of his plans for the future at the club.

"We've had a conversation with his management and if he's able to secure his future beyond this year we're not going to stand in his way," he said.

"Things can change quickly but at the moment, yep (he's still expected to see out the season at the Cowboys)."

The harder edge McGuire has called for is exactly what's missing according to the coach, who said the attitude must change if the Cowboys are to show improvement against Wests next Sunday.

"I wasn't under any illusions where we were at," Payten said of when he took the job.

"We had some good weeks in preseason that got my confidence higher than what it is now but it was clear to see in the first couple of games how we handled adversity is a true indication of where we're at."