Cowboys on right path, says Tamou

COWBOYS premiership winner James Tamou has backed his former club to reverse its run of recent poor form under new coach Todd Payten.

As an interim coach Payten led a mid-year turnaround at the Warriors last season against all odds, and Tamou (pictured) believes that is enough to fill Cowboys fans with hope.

The front rower, who has switched from Penrith to the Wests Tigers in the off-season, said it had been hard to watch the Cowboys slide from contenders to the NRL cellar over the past three years.

But he backed the club to b begin a resurgence up the ladder, led by Payten.

“I have (been disapp pointed for them), esp pecially being close to the boys and keeping attached to some of them,” he said.

“It is always hard when you see a club like that, but every club goes through it. I think they will bounce back with Toddy there and he will get the boys going.

“We know what Toddy did with the Warriors (last season), he nearly single-handedly turned them around. I hear (he) is doing good things up (in Townsville). I am sure he will get that team raring and ready where they need to be for them to have a successful year.”

Tamou said injuries, such as those to Cowboys co-captain Michael Morgan, who has managed only 37 games in the past three seasons, had hampered the club.

Tamou said the Cowboys would always hold a place in his heart and with his parents still living in Townsville, he considered North Queensland home.

“I am always looking forward to keeping an eye on them,” he said.