Parramatta captain Nathan Hindmarsh has declared Stephen Kearney the right man to lead the Eels out of their current crisis despite the club's woeful record under the Kiwi coach.
The blue and golds have won just six of 27 matches on Kearney's watch, leading many to speculate whether he is the answer at a club where the premiership drought stretches all the way back to 1986.
Last Saturday's embarrassing 42-6 loss to North Queensland heaped further pressure on the Parramatta boss but Hindmarsh is backing Kearney all the way.
"It's a non issue," the skipper said of the debate surrounding the coaching position.
"We've got 100 percent faith in Steve and the job he is doing."
"You can't go around blaming the coach."
Despite overseeing the club's worst start to a campaign in more than 20 years, Kearney is adamant there is light at the end of the tunnel.
He expects the revival to start against the Panthers in the western derby at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night.
"Our performance (against the Cowboys) wasn't up to scratch, full stop," Kearney conceded.
"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."
For the resurrection to begin, the Eels must not only stiffen up their defence but find more points.
They have scored just 32 points in three games and on Saturday night produced only one offload and a solitary linebreak across 80 minutes.
Critics have pointed to Parramatta's lack of impact with the ball and 'robotic' playing structure as key reasons why the club is anchored to the bottom of the table.
But Kearney shot back: "I think robots would have done a better job in defence the other night."
"I haven't read that about us playing like robots, but I don't think it's true and not an issue."
Kearney is unconcerned with the talk over his future, adding: "My focus is about making sure I prepare the side in the best possible way."
"We'll all keep working and I'm confident things will change."