The time is ticking on the nib Newcastle Knights' season.
After a 30-6 loss to Manly on Saturday, the side recorded their fifth straight defeat, leaving them in 11th position and a mountain to climb in order to reach the finals.
The Sea Eagles scored 22 unanswered points in the second half as the Knights' defence was exposed.
Tim Glasby said the side didn't capitalise on their opportunities and paid the price.
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"We struggled to maintain the pressure we built, we came up with some poor options to let Manly off the hook," Glasby said.
"We know how to defend well. We just need to get a bit of resolve back."
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The side missed 37 tackles compared to Manly's 16 on the weekend, while holding a completion rate of only 72 percent.
Aidan Guerra said; “when one thing went wrong, we didn't cover each other's back, too many times one quick ruck led to another one and essentially led to a try," Guerra said.
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Both Glasby and Guerra have been a part of premiership-winning at the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm, respectively.
Glasby said he's facing unknown territory in the wake of going five games without a victory but believes the squad is more than capable of turning it around.
"Not used to going on long streaks (of losing) like that, it's been a challenge, and I didn't come to Newcastle because I thought it would be exactly the same as what I'm used to, I came for the challenge," Glasby continued.
"We're a win out of the top eight, (but) we are running out of time that is for sure, wins are becoming a lot more important."
Guerra implored the squad to re-discover their dominant form from earlier in the year.
"It's been five weeks that (our defence) hasn't been up to scratch, but as a side it's all about action and remembering we know how to do it and have the tenacity and resilience to do it for 80 minutes," Guerra said.
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Coincidentally, the last time the Knights were enduring a five-game losing streak earlier in the season, they bounced back against the Parramatta Eels and that is exactly who they face this weekend.
The match now looms as a crucial game for the red and blue.
"If we look at the draw ahead, there are probably six teams battling it out for two or three positions left in the top eight, and we play three of them," Guerra continued.
"If we want to be fair dinkum about our spot, whether we belong or not in the top eight, we got to win those games."
