NRL | Knights say win against Manly can be springboard into the finals

After Friday's 28-26 loss to Wests Tigers, Newcastle's fourth defeat in as many games, they have slipped outside the top eight for the first time in more than two months.

Now they find themselves fighting for survival with six games to go, starting with in-form Manly, who last weekend stunned competition leaders Melbourne at AAMI Park.

The Sea Eagles, who are fifth on the points table after winning five of their past six games, have already beaten Newcastle this season and have won 16 of 19 clashes between the two clubs at Brookvale. But the Knights are taking heart from their revival earlier in the season, when they rebounded from a five-game losing streak to rack up six consecutive wins.

"I couldn't put my finger on why we've done this," back-rower Mitchell Barnett said.

"We were sitting in a good spot there, well inside in the eight, and we've let it go at the moment. It just depends how bad we want to play finals footy, I guess.

"At the moment, we've got to brick by brick build back what we had, and it starts with our defence and our attitude towards it."

Barnett said Newcastle's collective belief remained intact, despite some stinging criticism, including coach Nathan Brown saying some players should "hold their heads in shame" after last week's performance.

"There's been a few negatives getting thrown around, but we've got a tight-knit bunch of boys here," Barnett said.

"We're all sticking solid together, and we're pumping each other up.

"At the end of the day, we're the only ones who can get ourselves out of it. I'm very confident we can do that this weekend."

Hooker Danny Levi said if Monday's training session was any indication, "the energy is still there" and the Knights would be determined to make amends on Saturday.

"The boys are always up to the task," Levi said.

"We've been in this position before and we've been able to fight our way out of it. We've just got to make sure the desire side of things starts ticking for us ... the confidence is still there, and there's still a lot more games to go.

"We'll get out of this rut."

Winger Hymel Hunt was hopeful that one win would be the lanchpad for a late-season revival.

"A win would change everyone's spirits," he said.

"Obviously after four losses in a row, it's hard. I wouldn't say you start doubting, but the confidence gets a bit low.

"A win would help the confidence and boys would keep rising from there.

"Like when we were in that six-game win streak, each win we just got better and better, so once we get this win, we'll go from there."

Knights coach Nathan Brown said after Friday's defeat that team changes were "100 per cent guaranteed".

He will name a new-look squad on Tuesday that is expected to include the likes of Aidan Guerra and Jacob Saifiti.

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