Beleaguered Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien admitted he’s within the crosshairs and has been “separated from the herd” amid his aspect’s worrying kind stoop of late.
The Knights went all the way down to an understrength Penrith Panthers aspect 20-12 final Saturday, a consequence which left Melbourne Storm skipper Christian Welch amongst a number of others baffled.
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It dropped Newcastle to 14th on the ladder, simply three factors forward of the last-placed St George Illawarra Dragons.
The defeat in opposition to Penrith was additionally the Knights’ third on the trot having gone all the way down to the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos.
The alarming kind and lowly spot on the desk has left O’Brien underneath no phantasm his head might be on the chopping block subsequent.
“We’re getting to the point where, let’s be honest, we need to win footy games,” O’Brien stated.
“I understand that usually if you’re not in the top eight, then it’s hunting season for you. I’ve probably been separated from the herd a little bit more now.
“I get that there’s a target on me but sitting around worrying about it all day is not going to help the footy team. It won’t help the players.
“I’m frustrated for everyone, the club, the supporters. But sitting around wallowing in self-pity is not going to help us.”
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The Knights take pleasure in a beneficial run of fixtures of their subsequent two clashes, with an away recreation in opposition to the Bulldogs on Sunday adopted by a house conflict in opposition to the Wests Tigers.
Both groups are beneath the Knights on the ladder and two wins would definitely give O’Brien and the Knights some crucial respiration room.
But failure to take 4 factors from these video games may spell doom for the 45-year-old.
Regardless, O’Brien firmly backed himself to show the ship round within the Hunter.
“I do believe I am the right man for the job,” O’Brien stated.
“The team are showing this year that they are responding.
“They’re still falling short, I get that, but I feel like I’ve had a few years and we have managed to play finals in my time here and I believe that we can still play finals again.
“I’ve got to believe that. If I don’t come in and believe it myself, why would the playing group?”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au