Veteran halfback Mitchell Pearce says he doesn't take criticism of his side's attack personally but admits all the flak directed at the team has been warranted with the Knights making the play-offs despite having one of the worst attacking records for any finals team in the NRL era.
Off the back of 12 wins, Newcastle finished seventh even though they averaged less than 18 points per game and their attacking stats saw them ranked 15th in the competition, only ahead of wooden spooners Canterbury.
Pearce, who has only featured in 11 games this season due to injury, winning eight of them, didn't shy away from the barrage of criticism about his side's offence.
"I agree with it," he said. "There's no doubt we've been clunky,
"It's hard to just speak about it (the attacking issues) over an interview - there's obviously different reasons.
"I'm not doubting the attack though either. I know that we've got enough in us to create the points. I know we've got enough in our arsenal.
"At the end of the day though, big games are won on the back of effort and will to win."
The Knights have needed a truckload of effort and will to win over the back half of the season just to reach the play-offs.
They've won 7 of their past 10 games and half their 12 wins have been by six points or less, suggesting they now have the ability to grind out a victory.
According to fullback Kalyn Ponga, it's the sort of mentality that's needed to win finals games.
"A lot of the finals is about effort," he said. "We do have to execute plays but I think effort and that mentality gets you wins. It's not all about the pretty plays, it's about working hard.
"Footy hasn't changed. Defence still wins and we want to be a good defensive team.
"But obviously we've got footy in us. We've got players who can do great things with the footy. "It's just about putting the footy in their hands at the right time and playing freely."
Knights coach Adam O'Brien didn't come up with any surprises in naming his squad yesterday to take on the the Eels at Rockhampton on Sunday.
But with some doubt still hanging over the fitness of props Daniel Saifiti, David Klemmer and Jesse Sue, he is unlikely to completely finalise his 17 until closer to kick-off.
In a good sign, all three did some training yesterday and appear to be tracking well.
O'Brien has named four forwards - Klemmer, Sue, Brodie Jones and Josh King - on his bench but it will be intriguing to see if he makes a change and opts to carry some backline or utility cover.
He has Phoenix Crossland or Simi Sasagi potentially waiting in the wings for an opportunity along with forwards Jirah Momoisea and Jack Johns.
