Star halfback Shaun Johnson is backing the Warriors to bounce back from a disappointing defeat and keep their NRL playoff fate in their own hands.
The Warriors are precariously placed ahead of their clash with premiers the Sydney Roosters in Auckland on Sunday.
Having been knocking on the door of the top four, they fell to eighth in a congested mid-table after Newcastle upset them 28-22.
It was the second of two successive sub-par performances from the Warriors, after they scraped through for a 16-12 win over Cronulla.
But Johnson is confident the Warriors can do the business against the in-form Roosters.
"We're still in the eight, but we don't to be waiting on other results to see if we stay there," he said.
"The best way we can take care of that is by winning. We're up against it this weekend against a pretty good side, but I'm more than confident we can get it done."
The Warriors haven't made the play-offs since their grand-final appearance in 2011 and the past two seasons have featured damaging late season slides.
Johnson believes the Warriors have developed mentally since then.
"We're not being blown off the park and we're able to push back when we get a couple of tries scored against us," he said.
"We're able to stay in the grind. It's good to know that we've made gains in that area."
The match against the Knights was Johnson's first after three weeks out with injury and he said he came through without any pain in his problem groin.
The Warriors will have blockbusting centre Konrad Hurrell back from a hamstring complaint and will also celebrate forward Ben Matulino's 150th first-grade appearance.
They will face a Roosters side on a three-match winning streak and backing up from a 48-4 thrashing of Wests Tigers that put them fourth on the table.
The line-up the Sydneysiders have named is chock full of international and Origin talent, including the Kiwis quintet of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Shaun Kenny-Dowall in the backs, and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sam Moa and Frank-Paul Nuuausala in the pack.
They could also have Sonny Bill Williams back after a month out with a thumb injury, the second rower having travelled with the squad across the Tasman.
"It's going to be a massive battle for our forward pack," Johnson said.
"We've got to contain their forwards, but also their forwards have to watch out for our forwards. It's going to be pretty cool to watch."
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