After a scathing review of his side's 36-18 Magic Round loss to Wests Tigers, Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien says a balmy training camp on the Sunshine Coast was just what they needed to lift spirits again.
A "black cloud" followed the Knights (4-6) since the weekend's loss but they happily left that behind as they headed north ahead of Thursday's showdown with North Queensland.
Both teams share equal points on the ladder and O'Brien says his side has a renewed outlook heading into the clash.
"I think the black cloud that was following us there for the first 24 to 48 hours (after Magic Round) is starting to disappear," he said on Wednesday.
"We've had a productive camp, it's an ideal time for us to come away and get some solid reviews done after the performance and get some good solid training in."
"The weather's good and the boys are excited about their football again."
The Knights coach also shared some introspection following last weekend's loss, shifting the onus of responsibility onto himself.
"On reflection straight off the performance ... I wear my heart on my sleeve (and) I probably put a little bit of pressure on some individuals that don't deserve it," he said.
"The pressure sits squarely with me, I'm the one that was brought here to lead the club and that sits squarely with me."
He added a win against the Cowboys will certainly take pressure off the playing group, who are still without star fullback Kalyn Ponga.
The Knight's No.1 will miss another week while dealing with a hip injury that kept him out of Magic Round but O'Brien says there's no rush to bring Ponga back.
"He needs another week, we get a longer turnaround (after this match) and it's too soon for him," O'Brien said.
"We're going to leave him for the Manly game at home when there's a longer turnaround, so he'll be a 100 per cent for that one."
