Beleaguered Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien admitted he is in the crosshairs and has been “separated from the herd” amid his side’s worrying form slump of late.
The Knights went down to an understrength Penrith Panthers side 20-12 last Saturday, a result which left Melbourne Storm skipper Christian Welch among several others baffled.
It dropped Newcastle to 14th on the ladder, just three points ahead of the last-placed St George Illawarra Dragons.
The defeat against Penrith was also the Knights’ third on the trot having gone down to the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos.
The alarming form and lowly spot on the table has left O’Brien under no illusion his head could be on the chopping block next.
“We’re getting to the point where, let’s be honest, we need to win footy games,” O’Brien said.
“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.”
The Knights enjoy a favourable run of fixtures in their next two clashes, with an away game against the Bulldogs on Sunday followed by a home clash against the Wests Tigers.
Both teams are below the Knights on the ladder and two wins would certainly give O’Brien and the Knights some necessary breathing room.
But failure to take four points from those games could spell doom for the 45-year-old.
Regardless, O’Brien firmly backed himself to turn the ship around in the Hunter.
“I do believe I am the right man for the job,” O’Brien said.
“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?”
