They're the bottom-placed team at the Top End.
But by the time they return to the reality of home, Parramatta coach Brad Arthur hopes his confidence-sapped playing group not only come back with a sorely needed two points, but as one team.
"Times like this, everyone wants to be the saviour and try and get us out of trouble. Everyone wants to try and be the one that can make a difference," Arthur tells AAP.
"Sometimes that can go against you. The priority is for everyone to work hard, but work together. It's just not happening that way at the moment.
"Everyone's working but sometimes we're working against each other."
Arthur is banking on an injection of leadership to get the team on the same page when the Eels host North Queensland in Darwin on Saturday.
Four changes have been made to the side that were embarrassed by Newcastle last week, with Jarryd Hayne, Tim Mannah and Corey Norman set to come back from injury.
Young hooker Reed Mahoney is also set to make his debut off the bench.
Hayne's return comes with plenty of anticipation, with a problematic hip injury limiting the code-hopper to just four matches in his second coming as an Eel this season.
Arthur is wary of placing too much expectation on Hayne, however is leaning on the two-time Dally M medallist to provide guidance for a team struggling for direction.
"Our expectations of him aren't going to be too high. He's going to be blowing throughout the game for periods. But as long as he gets some quality touches into him, that's all we want," Arthur said.
"He brings a bit of leadership, a bit of talk, a bit of calmness for us as well. So we've got some leadership in the backs and Timmy gives us that in the forwards as well."
North Queensland fullback Michael Morgan is in doubt to back up after Wednesday's State of Origin opener with a chronic groin issue.
Cowboys coach Paul Green urged prop Matt Scott to embrace the opportunity as he seeks a Queensland recall for Origin II.
"(Queensland coach Kevin Walters) has mentioned his name, so he's got the next two games before they pick the team for Origin II," Green said.
"He's been around long enough and he knows what he needs to do. Hopefully that's enough for him to pull out a couple of big games."
STATS THAT MATTER
* The Cowboys have won their past two and nine of the past 12 matches against the Eels.
* This is just the second time since the early 1970s that the Eels have started a season with two wins or less from their first 13 matches.
Source: Fox Sports Stats
