Fitzgibbon: ‘I’d like to apologise for the performance’

Lachlan Fitzgibbon has issued a public apology to supporters following Sunday's 48-10 drubbing at the hands of Cronulla.

Fitzgibbon scored one of the Knights' two tries on the weekend in another strong game from the backrower in an underperforming side.

With 20,913 fans turning out at McDonald Jones Stadium for Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, the gutted 24-year-old declared the team's performance wasn't acceptable.

"There's not much to say. On behalf of us at the Club, I'd like to apologise for the performance we put out," Fitzgibbon said on Monday.

"It's not good enough. That's three weeks in a row now we've been at home in front of a crowd of over 20,000.

We need to look deep into each other and it needs to change.

Lachlan Fitzgibbon Second rower

"It's not a good look. It's not what we're about as a club. Hopefully this is the turning point in our season.

"We need to look deep into each other and it needs to change."

The Knights have leaked 146 points in the past four games.

Having conceded 342 points this season, the red and blues have the worst defensive record in the competition and correcting that is something the team must make a priority.

"Defence wins you games," he said.

"We can't be coughing up 30 to 40 points a game and expect to win. It doesn't happen like that.

"Defence is an attitude thing and at times individuals, myself included, were trying to do it on our own.

"That's been our downfall. We need to do it as a group."

Having lost four on the trot, the Knights face Parramatta on Saturday at ANZ Stadium.

While confident the top eight isn't out of reach, Round 13 looms as a crucial game for the team.

The Eels sit at the bottom of the table with two wins for the season and Fitzgibbon expects to face a desperate team.

"We don't want to go five losses in a row, that would be devastating," Fitzgibbon said.

It's about sticking together and putting in a much better performance.

"Parramatta are in a bit of a hole too, so they'll be desperate for a win and we're desperate, so it should be a good game."