Not much makes giant prop Matt Scott nervous, but North Queensland’s NRL finals fate has ensured some anxious moments for the Cowboys’ enforcer ahead of Saturday night’s clash with the Warriors.

Indeed, Scott did not want to dwell on the consequences of a third straight loss for the Cowboys (6th; 11-9 record) as the finals race heated up.

“It’s pretty scary at the moment. A win and we can get into the top four – a loss and we are teetering on the edge of the eight,” Scott said on Wednesday.

“It does put a bit of pressure on you to get these wins.

“Everyone knows how congested the top eight is on the ladder.

“We know each week is massive for us.

“Against the Warriors, we are desperate for a good performance and a win.”

Despite their disappointing run, Scott believed the Cowboys did not have to go back to the drawing board to find a winning formula in the regular season’s final month.

“We know we don’t have to fix too much to be up there with the best of the competition,” he said.

“We are not far off but there are definite areas we need to improve – like completion rates and our kicking game.”

However, Cowboys’ coach Neil Henry is expected to keep Michael Morgan at halfback against the Warriors with former No.7 Ray Thompson in a battle to keep his job as back-up hooker.

Anthony Mitchell could be a chance of replacing Thompson after he and Ricky Thorby were named on an extended bench in a 19-strong Cowboys side.

“He’s a very good defender and I thought he played forward nicely out of the dummy-half role as well,” Henry said of Thompson’s stint in last round’s 8-6 loss to Manly.

“But Anthony Mitchell played 80 minutes (in lower-tier Queensland Cup last weekend) and I’ve looked at a bit of that game and he was fairly sharp as well.

“There’s certainly pressure on in the hooker’s role.”

Henry backed Scott’s call that not much needed to be improved against the desperate Warriors.

“They (Warriors) are still a dangerous side, a powerful side,” Henry said.

“(But) this is our opportunity to peg a game back here.

“I was very happy with our defensive resolve on the weekend and I was happy with our defence for most of the game against the Bulldogs (32-18 loss) as well.

“That’s a positive for us to be solid defensively. If we can do that, I’m sure we can get the points.”