I get it, many have been patient enough and you are disappointed – but surely you have some more patience left in you?
We’ve got the players on the field and a team who can deliver. We’re not the 2016 side who sadly was everyone’s whipping boy. We’ve come a long way so let’s just be happy for the times they are a-changin’ – for the better.
I got some facts for us to elaborate ahead of our upcoming game against the Dragons.
1. Kalyn Ponga is back at fullback
Might as well throw a parade for his return. Last year he excelled brilliantly as a fullback. His five-eighth attempt wasn’t all bad but he was a target while defending and didn’t have much room to work with.
At fullback, he can be lethal plus he has got some combinations with Mitchell Pearce.
2. Mason Lino’s first grade debut for Newcastle
It was bound to happen sooner or later. He’s a rather quiet achiever. He’s an actual half and he’ll have guidance from Pearce.
Despite playing a lot of games at halfback, he is a handful at five-eighth.
3. Nathan Brown ain’t going nowhere
I know this is a sixes and sevens call but I am sixes and sevens guy.
Brown has done a lot of wonderful things for our club. He teamed up with our players (the loyal ones at least) to bring the pride back.
They, along with those who wanted to play for us, helped rebuild the club and us fans did our bit by standing by them. No other club would have done it.
I’m prepared to bet we’ll make it this year in the finals but if not, I still say he’s safe but if we don’t make it next year, the heat is on (not quoting Glenn Frey).
4. Pearce, Watson and Ponga
Ponga at fullback, Connor Watson at five-eighth plus Pearce are a lethal trio.
I still call them – plus Danny Levi – as the NRL counterpart of the A-Team. Sadly they can’t use that name directly due to copyright. Mitchell Pearce is Hannibal (he’s the leader), you figure out the rest.
5. Let’s be real
We’ll get better as the season goes on. The combinations will improve and we’ll get the results we want.
In our first eight games last year, we were five and three. Sadly, with Pearce gone, we only won two of nine from there.
Yes, I believe we’ll make the finals but I can’t see us winning it this year.
Why? We have still got a lot of work to do. The semi-finals is as far as we’ll go. I hope I’m wrong and he win the big dance, but I don’t want to come up with false hope.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
I praised both because they’re both good at 6. I think I made it clear I prefer Watson but due to injury, he’s out for the weekend.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
First you praise Lino for his ability at six, then claim Watson at six. Which one is it? Haven’t been overly impressed with the Knights so far, bit it’s a long season. They need to fix their defense so they can hang in there when they have no possession. I’m predicting a 12th place finish
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Did anyone laud him..one camp critized from the start,the other said let’s have a look first.. Pretty sure this is the first week Lino’s been available for selection and Watson has had a dismal opening few weeks..so has Levi..so has Pearce..it’s not just Ponga who’s been off..
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Adam, I'm glad to see your Newcastle glass is half full, though it's obviously got a bit of a leak at present. This article is designed to appeal to the wavering fan, offering all sorts of reasons/excuses for how the team's going, coupled with a positive message. The problem is, the wavering fan at Newcastle's had 3 years of false positives, especially from Mr Brown. The side the Club's purchased, should have jumped out of the blocks this year, but hasn't done that. I'm yet to read one piece that says a Newcastle player is playing out of his skin and that's the type of positive reality that keeps wavering fans interested. The Knights and the Dragons have a similar problem; both have coaches that don't know what brand of football they can coach. At best, we can only hope our sides work it out for themselves and make the finals, but in any event, Brown needs to go and so does Mary and the Red V.
Nat
Roar Guru
I appreciate your optimism Adrian but it's starting to read like a Browny yes man. You lauded Brown for bringing Ponga into the front line at the start of the season now you throw a parade because he moving back. Credit where it's due, it was an experiment, it hasn't worked and he changed it back. He bought Lino in for halves depth but then threw Ponga over Watson and Lino anyway, thus, consigning a two players to specialised spine positions neither have any experience in playing - especially top grade. If rumours are true about a ladder finish of 10th are true, your A team may just stand for Average. Most commentators would argue Brown's roster management coupled with a 10th finish would mean he is in serious trouble. Wests have the money mate, buy a new coach and maximise the talent in the squad so you guys really have something to cheers about. No point being loyal to a nice bloke when wins are what you are judged by. What loyal players? They are all imports.
Adam
Roar Guru
The Broncos fans could write one this time next week...
Don
Roar Rookie
Brown has had pretty soft scrutiny of his coaching because he and the Knights management consistently deflected criticism back to “Wayne did it...” He has the team that he wants and only because he actually got very lucky with Pearce and SKD rather than by any savvy recruitment strategy. If Cooper Cronk doesn’t move to Sydney the Knights would likely have finished bottom 2. Pearce missed 8 games and still came 5th in the Dally M and only 4 points behind Ponga. Brown is a limited coach. Unless they pay overs the really good players will go where the money is similar but the coach is good. Nice bloke and all, if he misses finals I’d punt him.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
I’ll give you that but I felt it’s necessary to speak out to the fans.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Are we gonna get one of these every week?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
i thought the Knights would have a better start to the season but it's early days. Each season I hear that teams will improve once combinations start working. It's not true that combinations need time to develop. The Storm hit the ground running every season and they've had a different spine every season for a while now. The Chooks have had Mitchell at 5/8 and the Sharks have had Johson in the halves for the first time. The Eels looked as good as anyone with a new combination yet last years established combo was terrible. The Panthers have the SOO halves but looked much better last season when Maloney was playing without Cleary at the start of the season..