Garth Brennan says Gold Coast's pressure-relieving NRL win last weekend will count for nothing unless they can deliver against Newcastle.
The Titans (1-4) have made a habit of dropping the ball in weeks after a big win, losing eight of their past nine games after scoring 30 or more points the week prior.
Brennan is doing his best to usher in a new standard at Robina, and said the clash with fellow NRL strugglers Newcastle (1-4) on Sunday was a good chance to put words into action.
"In the past the Gold Coast Titans have won a game and thought 'that's okay, the pressure's off' and then gone on another losing streak," Brennan said.
"Close enough's not good enough for us this year and it's important we can go out and be a bit of a ruthless football team."
Former Knight Tyrone Roberts has been tasked with powering their charge on Sunday, with Ashley Taylor set to play despite a week hampered by a bruised and corked knee.
Jarrod Wallace (suspended) and AJ Brimson (thumb) are both out, while Shannon Boyd and Moeaki Fotuaika return from injury and suspension respectively.
"That's his benchmark now ... he's shown he is the dominant half out there and needs to be and it takes a bit of pressure off Ash," Brennan said of Roberts and his poise against Penrith last Friday.
The Knights have lost four straight and have not scored more than 14 points in six of their past seven games, despite the roaming threat of Kalyn Ponga and a forward pack that has plenty of bite.
Representative front-rowers David Klemmer, Tim Glasby and James Gavet have vowed to lead the resurgence and put an end to Newcastle's slow starts.
"They've got some intimidation about them, some size about them and some punch," Brennan said.
"We know how we felt after four losses in a row. It hurts, it's not good for the ego.
"They had a lot of expectation on them at start of year and they'll be keen to get their season back on track."
STATS THAT MATTER
* Another tryless game from Kalyn Ponga will see him equal his longest NRL try scoring drought at eight matches.
* The Knights have lost nine of the past 11 games but all four losses this season have been by eight points or less.
* The Titans have conceded the most first-half points this season and are the only team to concede the opening try in every match this season.
Australian Associated Press
