Newcastle legend Andrew Johns believes the Knights don't have it in them to handle the late-season pressure, and will therefore miss out on finals football again this season.
The Knights are set to do battle with the Eels this afternoon in a crucial clash for Newcastle, as they currently sit three points outside the eight.
The Knights haven't made the finals since 2013 and looked likely to end that drought earlier this season, although a dip in form which has seen them lose six of their past seven games now has them in 12th position.
“When the other team gets the upper hand they just seem to crumble, like a Sao in a blender,” Johns told WWOS when explaining why he believes the Knights won't play in the post-season.
“You saw that against the Roosters (in Round 18).
“I was there at that game and they were in it for about 50 minutes.
“Then a couple of things didn’t go their way and they just crumbled.
“Same as last week against Manly. They were in that game, couple of things didn’t go their way then splat. The game was over.”
The Eels are currently in sixth, and have three more wins than Newcastle this season.