While the clamour continues to grow about his AFL future, Richmond coach Terry Wallace insists he is comfortable with his lot.

Wallace said he was not anxiously waiting for a phone call on Tuesday night when the Tigers board met, two days after their fourth-straight loss at the start of the season.

He is in the fifth and final year of his Richmond contract and Wallace will stay coach at least until mid-season.

But every Richmond loss heaps more pressure on the club, who were bullish pre-season about their finals prospects after finishing ninth last year.

They will play North Melbourne on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium.

"I've been told I'm going on and that's where it's at - I'm very, very comfortable with that," Wallace said on Friday.

"I didn't think there was any decision to be made (earlier this week), I'd spoken clearly with the board and management all the way along and I wasn't sitting with bated breath waiting for the phone to ring.

"That was more a situation from the media.

"I couldn't be getting more support from the board and management than what I've got, I'm very, very comfortable with my position - (but) a couple of wins would obviously help."

Wallace also insisted that the mood within the club remained good, despite the mounting speculation and criticism outside Punt Rd.

"Clearly, it impacts everything you're doing in your life, because people want to talk about it, whether that's family, friends - everywhere you go," he said.

"But when the boys are here and they're doing what they're paid to do, I don't think it's been much of an issue at all."

One matter that clearly irked Wallace was comments from former premiership coach Denis Pagan.

As speculation mounted about Wallace earlier this week, Pagan told a television reporter that he wanted to coach at a senior level again.

Pagan later noted that the interview did not refer to Richmond and he publicly apologised, but Wallace admitted the episode had disappointed him.

"We spoke and we move on," Wallace said.

One heartening piece of news for the Tigers this week is the return of former club best and fairest winner Mark Coughlan, who has not played in the AFL because of a series of injuries since round 12, 2006.

Wallace had no doubt that the midfielder's return and his fearless playing style would inspire the team.

"It is a great story - it's perseverance and working through the trials and tribulations that happen to all of us in our lives," Wallace said.

"I know this is a sporting context, but no-one has had much rougher of a go than what he's had, in relations to his groins before he had the double knee `recos' (reconstructions).

"It's almost been three years and he was a great player, he was actually leading our best and fairest in his last game ... after winning one a few years earlier.

"He's been a great player for us."

Wallace agreed that Coughlan would help Richmond in their tackling and contested possessions - two areas where they have been lacking.

"They've probably been two of the areas that have been most focussed on about our footy over the last month," Wallace said.

"You know he'll throw his body on the line, no matter what."

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