Bennett embarrassed by dismal Knights
Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett says he’s “embarrassed” by his struggling side’s current run of form after the Knights slumped to a dismal 24-14 NRL defeat to lowly Gold Coast on Saturday.
On a cold evening in Newcastle, Bennett’s side produced another limp performance, handing the Titans their first back-to-back victories in almost two years.
It was the fourth time this season the Knights have lost at home and the seven-time premiership-winning coach admits it will be a huge challenge to get the team into the finals.
“My greatest difficulty right now is that I have to pick the teams,” Bennett said.
“If everybody’s doing their job, then the team picks itself.”
Many of the 15,792 crowd vented their frustrations at the final siren, with two late tries giving the scoreline a flattering look, in a game the Titans dominated for large periods.
Bennett has urged supporters to be patient, but admitted he understood their frustrations.
“They can get impatient as much as they like, but it isn’t going to help anybody,” he said.
“Nobody is more impatient than myself. I am embarrassed by the way we’re playing.
“But if we could just wave a magic wand and get it right we’d do that.
“That’s not going to happen. I understand their frustration, it’s no greater than mine.”
However, the 62-year-old said he would get things right and turn the situation round.
“I’ve been here before, so I know what is in front of me and I know what I’ve got to do,” he said.
“My coaching career has been long, but a lot of people forget where I came from and they look at the results.
“But there has been a lot of indifferent stuff over a long period.
“But at the end of the day, I always get where I want to go and it’s no different here.”
Titans coach John Cartwright was full of praise for the performances of his State of Origin stars Greg Bird, Nate Myles and Ashley Harrison who all produced strong displays just three days after Wednesday’s clash in Melbourne.
NSW back-rower Bird and Queensland star Myles both scored tries and Cartwright said he was delighted with the way his side overcome a slow start that saw them concede a try to Akuila Uate after four minutes.
“I thought there were patches in that game that is the best we’ve played this year,” Cartwright said.
“I thought Birdy was one of our best and Nate and Harro were great. It is a tough ask to ask them to back up from Origin and the signs are great.”
© AAP 2013
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The Crowd Says (6) | Page 1 of Comments
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May 27th 2012 @ 11:43am
Maroon Blood said | May 27th 2012 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Patience Knights faithfull, patience. The Broncos didn’t even make the finals for three of the first four seasons Wayne Bennett was in charge then won two straight Premiersihips. He’s always been a long-term plan kinda coach, the Pantene Coach if you will……it may not happen overnight, but it WILL happen.
May 27th 2012 @ 12:17pm
MadMatt said | May 27th 2012 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
Well said… He left the Broncos who he had made a premiership giant after being successfull at Canberra…. His move to the Saints was a premiership waiting to happen sooner or later, all they needed was an experienced coach and Wayne offered that in abundance. The knights just don thave all the cattle yet, but it will build in the next few years and watch out… cause they will be a giant again…
P.S im not a knights fan but recognise Newcastle as needing to be a powerhouse in this competition, and under Wayne Bennett they will be eventually
May 27th 2012 @ 12:06pm
Dean - Surry Hills said | May 27th 2012 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
He had the cattle at both the Broncs and Dragons – two teams that were always capable of final four finishes with or without Master Wayne . Both clubs have always had a production line of talented youngsters in their nurseries.
The Knights are a different proposition all together. It will take a fair few Tinkler incentives to lure a quality outfit to reside in Newcastle.
Bennett has already done his best to lure half a dozen Dragons away from Kogarah.
Strangely, people seem to be more pissed off with Des Hasler – who is yet to take a single player from Manly – go figure !!!!
I had a text message war with a Knights fan at the start of the year – saying that they would not make the eight. He said I was off my head, and that the Saints would miss out. It looks like we both might be right !
May 27th 2012 @ 11:48pm
karlos said | May 27th 2012 @ 11:48pm | Report comment
I am embarrassed as well. I was happier last year and din’t see Bennet as The Saviour.
May 28th 2012 @ 12:08pm
Davo said | May 28th 2012 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
Typical Wayne Bennet.
If his team does well, it all his work, as an amazing coach.
If his team does poorly, blame it on the players.
He isn’t a supercoach at all, he is a scheming, gutless money merchant.
May 28th 2012 @ 7:21pm
The Greatest Game Of All said | May 28th 2012 @ 7:21pm | Report comment
Wayne Bennett’s record speaks for itself, the most successful coach of all time. IMO I think the problem is the players on roster ATM, does he need Mullen? Buderus? Snowden? There’s a million dollars right there. Gagai has to go straight into the side aswell as Albert Kelly, big Dane Laurie might be worth a punt too.