Newcastle five-eighth Jarrod Mullen has encouraged his teammates to keep believing in the wake of their heartbreaking 15-14 loss against Manly at Brookvale Oval on Monday night.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Mullen said the Knights can take plenty of confidence out of their one-point loss to the Sea Eagles moving forward.
The men in red and blue led 14-4 with 14 minutes remaining on the back of their defence, but couldn't hold out a fast finishing Sea Eagles outfit.
"If we turn up like that every week we are going to win some games," Mullen said.
"There was plenty of effort from the boys, I do feel for them in the sheds.
"They are pretty down, but I think we tried really hard and it’s a tough one to take."
Asked if the Club's current ownership battle and players not being not paid had an affect on the team, Mullen said it was business as usual for the playing squad.
"That wasn’t an issue," he stresses.
"We knew we had a job to do coming here.
"No one expected us to win and all the odds were against us.
"We had a few boys out, a few main forwards and I thought the boys played really tough.
"So I’m really proud of them."
Coach Wayne Bennett was left shattered by the result, but proud given his side's effort.
"It’s just our season," Bennett said.
"We’re not playing with much luck and it’s just not happening for us.
"Of course I’m proud of them. They were wonderful, outstanding.
"We’ve got about six or seven players missing at the moment, but everybody is putting their hand up here again today.
"That’s all I can ask. I can’t ask for miracles."
Bennett was also asked about the Club's ownership and if players had been paid, but he had no updates to provide at the time.
"No I can’t clarify that today, because I’ve only worried about today," Bennett says.
"We came here to play football today and we’ve all been focused on that.
"I’m not in a position to talk about off-field issues today.
"I’ve been in Sydney all day and I haven’t spoken to the CEO and I haven’t spoken to anybody at all about it."
The Knights have the bye next week, before a crucial Round 12 clash against the Warriors in New Zealand.
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