Newcastle forward Chris Houston has put the onus on the NRL team's forwards to get carry them out of its current five-game rut.
The 12th-placed Knights' haven't won a game since Round 4, forcing coach Rick Stone to alter the plan for Sunday afternoon's clash against the Wests Tigers.
"We've got to keep it simple in a way," Houston said on 2KY's Big Sports Breakfast.
"We've still got blokes who can move the ball well in yardage if we have to, but I think our forwards need to control the ball and get forward and give us a chance down that end."
Houston, 30, believes poor discipline with the ball has been the major reason for their slide down the table.
Only once this year have the Knights been able to complete more than 80 per cent of their sets.
"You just can't give (other) sides that much possession," he said.
"I think after the first eight games we haven't had 50 per cent of the ball in any of the games.
"A bit of responsibility with the ball is the first thing we need to fix up for sure."
The Knights will again be without chief playmaker Jarrod Mullen, who is out for up to six weeks with a toe injury.
"They weren't quite sure what it was to start with," Mullen said.
"He's a crucial part of our side. We're hoping just a bit of rest and we can get him back on the park ASAP because if it's season-ending, then we'll have to look at a different alternative there."
STATS THAT MATTER
- The Tigers hold a slight edge with 10 wins from 19 matches against Newcastle. They have been dominant in recent matches however, winning five of the past seven against the Knights. This fixture has always been high-scoring, averaging over 49 total points a game.
- Scoring 20 points may be the key to beating the Tigers. Since 2013 they are the only team in the competition yet to win a game conceding over 20 points, losing all 32 matches. However when conceding 20 points or fewer, they have won 21 of 25 matches - the best percentage in the league over this period (2013-15).
- Akuila Uate has a great record against the Tigers with seven tries in his past three games against them, including a hat trick in each of his past two games. Uate has an incredible 38 in his past 37 matches at Hunter Stadium.
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