Aidan Guerra has urged fans not to lose the faith with the nib Newcastle Knights hoping to turn the tables on a four-game losing streak against the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium this weekend.
The co-captain has backed his teammates and their desire to get back to winning ways and knows both sides will show all kinds of desperation.
"I still believe firmly that we have the footy in us and I'm going in to this weekend thinking we're a side that can win this game," said Guerra.
"I'm not going to sit here and question anyone's desire because you don't get this far in a game without having some sort of desire and some sort of want."
Press Conference: Aidan Guerra on Round 13
The last time the two sides met, the Eels stunned the Knights in a scoring display at a trial match in Maitland.
But the 30-year-old is adamant the squad have come leaps and bounds since their first proper hit-out earlier this year.
"There's a big difference now and although we haven't been anywhere near our potential, I think we have seen our potential as a group," Guerra added.
"We've just got to get back believing that sort of football is still in us which I firmly believe is."
Confidence has been another question thrown around, and the Knights forward said it can be a rollercoaster of highs and lows.
"Confidence is a funny word, sometimes you feel like you've got it back as a player and then it takes one little mishap on the field to bounce you back into that negative energy," he said.
"Everyone is different the way they approach the game, the way they get their mentality sorted is a very personal thing.
"We've been talking as a team about what it will take to beat a Parramatta side and that's a team of positive individuals."
While the current cellar dwellers are battling some issues on and off the field, Guerra knows they can't take the Eels for granted and the football their opponents can deliver at their best.
"This Parramatta side they have got some footy in them, although they haven't seen the results yet this year, we need to come out expecting the best Parramatta side that we've seen this season," Guerra demanded.
"You try and judge a team on their best games and I think they're best games have come from when their forwards have gone hard, making some people miss tackles and doing some damage through the middle.
"For us we have to try and limit that and be better in the ruck.
"The thing against the Sharks was a step forward for us in our ruck defence so we've got to keep growing on that and then we've got to start saving some tries out wide.
"We want to get some reward for all that hard work that is going on right across the park.
"Both sides are desperate for a win so hopefully we'll see some good football from our troops."
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