North Queensland will have plenty of work to do this week after Saturday nights heavy loss to Manly at home.

Despite the teams forward dominance, the Cowboys struggled to find a way to breach the embattled Sea Eagles defensive wall in going down 30 –  8.

Skipper Johnathon Thurston (pictured) says it was an uncharacteristic performance from his side that lacked the patience and composure it needed when the pressure was on.