Terry Wallace will plot Richmond's challenge against bogey team North Melbourne on Saturday.

But if the Tigers can't turn around a sorry record against the Kangaroos - a team they have only beaten once in their last seven matches dating back to 2002 - then the speculation over the embattled coach's future will only intensify.

In an attempt to avoid another media circus, the Tigers held their regular monthly board meeting away from the regular venue at Punt Rd on Tuesday night.

In the wake of the embarrassing loss to 2008 wooden spooners Melbourne on Sunday, Wallace was not required to address the board on Tuesday, with that job falling to football general manager Craig Cameron.

The club is continuing with a review of the football department, which may not be completed until mid-season.

Wallace and the Tigers are almost certain to part ways some time in 2009 after the former Bulldogs coach was handed a generous five-year deal in late 2004 but failed to deliver any finals action.

If he leaves mid-season, the club would likely appoint an assistant such as Wayne Campbell, David King or Brian Royal in a caretaker role.

They would then make a permanent appointment in the off-season, when big names such as Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse could be on the market.

The Tigers' best player Matthew Richardson said on Tuesday he had not been told anything to suggest Wallace would not be given the opportunity to fulfil the final season of his five-year contract.

"Internally we're sticking strong, we're right behind Terry and I'm pretty sure the president and the board have shown their support to him," said Richardson.

"(The media) can keep speculating all day long but that's not for us to do, we've just got a job to do and that's to get out there and try and get four points this week."

Despite sitting above only fellow winless club Fremantle in 15th place, Richardson said it was far too early to give up on the 2009 season.

"It's not good but it is only round four, there are 18 weeks to go and if you start getting all doom and gloom at this stage of the year it's a long way to go," he said.

"I'm certainly not writing the year off.

"We've got to get out there this week and try and get a result and get the ball rolling."

But the key forward did agree with president Gary March's assertion that there was some mental fragility in the playing group, who were in contention in three of their four opening games against Geelong, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne before losing.

"It would be a fair assessment to say there must be some mental obstacles there for some of the players," said Richardson.

In another development, two-time North Melbourne premiership coach Denis Pagan denied he was pushing for the Richmond job in a TV interview on Monday when he said he was keen to resume his coaching career at the highest level.

Pagan now coaches in the elite Under 18s competition at the Northern Knights, whose playing list includes Wallace's son Brent.

"I have no intention of coaching Richmond and it's fair to say Richmond have no intention of appointing me," Pagan told Radio 3AW.

"I notice there were a few people upset about it."

Wallace was understood to be upset by Pagan's comments, prompting the former Kangaroos and Carlton coach to call him and apologise.

In one ray of hope for the Tigers this weekend, Brownlow medallist Ben Cousins and young stars Trent Cotchin and Andrew Raines could all resume from injury for their VFL affiliate Coburg.

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