LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Newcastle Knights head coach Adam O'Brien has expressed concerns that his team is neglecting fundamental skills in their desperate quest for a much-needed victory.
Traveling to Townsville on Sunday, Newcastle aimed to end a five-game losing streak. However, they suffered a crushing defeat, managing only four points and committing 16 errors during the game against the Cowboys, who won by 34 points.
Interestingly, the Cowboys themselves struggled with form, committing 23 errors. Nonetheless, the Knights could not capitalize, even when the Cowboys spent 10 minutes with Reece Robson in the sin bin during the first half. The Knights ended up conceding six tries while only scoring one, leaving them just two points ahead of the Gold Coast Titans at the bottom of the ladder, and at risk of finishing with the dreaded wooden spoon.
O'Brien acknowledged that his team's lack of confidence is evident. "It's what we spoke about in there. We lack some confidence, we lack not so much belief, but you get to a point when you're having the season that you're having where you train yourself into some confidence, but when you bomb a few tries, the confidence and belief is eroding quickly," the head coach stated, highlighting the pressure he is under.