Newcastle coach Rick Stone has deflected criticism aimed at him from the Knights fans who have blamed him for their team's less than successful 2010 season.
The Knights currently sit in 12th spot on the NRL ladder, two wins out of the top eight and with a difficult task to make this year's finals.
But it has been their form over the past two matches that have heard the voices of discontent against Stone grow louder.
Newcastle was thumped 52-18 by the Raiders a fortnight ago and lost 28-24 to the Cowboys 14th placed Cowboys in Townsville last week - two matches they expected to win.
"As a coach you are expected to coach a winning footy side and people in Newcastle expect that – and the fans are pretty parochial about their support," Stone said in his defence.
"I am sure one of the underlying features they are looking for are an ultimate effort each week and that is something I thought we should particularly considering our tough circumstances with injuries last week in Townsville and we are aiming to show that definitely again on Monday."
Stone accepted some of the blame for the team's standing but said he was trying to keep his players focused on staying positive for the remaining rounds of the competition.
"We understand the position we are in and we have got ourselves into that situation. But our preparation and how we approach each game will be no different," he said.
"What we need to do is concentrate on each week as it comes and make sure we prepared as enthusiastically as we can and make sure our players have the appropriate energy when it comes time to play and that is something we have been focused on for this week and the rest of the season."
"Obviously we tried to improve our defence after the Canberra game – it was pretty ordinary but I would say our concentration levels and our ball security has been our Achillis this year."
"It is not about moving the ball or making forced errors – we are making unforced errors which puts a lot of pressure on our defence and it also gives the opposition the opportunity to complete their set of six and kick from an attacking position so that is a focus for us this week."
The Knights go into Monday night's game against Manly at EnergyAustralia Stadium with a number of changes. Five-eighth Ben Rogers and winger James McManus are out injured. Skipper Kurt Gidley takes over the halfback role with Jarrod Mullen moving to No.6, Shannon McDonnell starts at fullback, while Cooper Vuna has been named on the wing.
Meanwhile, prop Dan Tolar and centres Junior Sa'u and Adam MacDougall are also under injuries clouds heading into the weekend.
"We are positive about their boys playing and we will give them a final check on Saturday," Stone said.
"One thing about injuries is that it gives opportunities to others who come into the squad. and I think they will take that opportunity with both hands."