Danny Buderus urges Nathan Brown to keep Connor Watson at fve-eighth and save Newcastle

Danny Buderus has urged the Knights to play Connor Watson at five-eighth to ignite Mitchell Pearce’s game and help relieve pressure on under-fire coach Nathan Brown.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Connor Watson of the Newcastle Knights is tackled during the round five NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Manly Sea Eagles at McDonald Jones Stadium on April 13, 2019 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

• STAYING: Tigers won’t leave home

• STARS: Parra go big to keep Gutho and Moses

Former Newcastle captain and coach Danny Buderus has urged the Knights to play Connor Watson at five-eighth to ignite Mitchell Pearce’s game and help relieve pressure on under-fire coach Nathan Brown.

The Knights have failed to match the pre-season hype around the team with just one win in the opening five rounds.

Buderus believes Newcastle’s woes centre around the struggles of star halfback Mitchell Pearce.

He says Pearce has been unable to thrive because he has had too many halves partners.

In the opening five rounds, the former Sydney Rooster has paired with Mason Lino, Kurt Mann, Kalyn Ponga and Connor Watson.

Buderus says Pearce needs a stable five-eighth like Watson alongside him to recapture his finest form.

“You can’t keep swapping around the playmakers,” Buderus told The Sunday Telegraph.

“Connor Watson was brought to the club to play five-eighth.

“Between Connor, Kalyn and Mitchell they haven’t played many games together in the spine through injury.

Pearce has struggled so far this season. AAP Image/Darren Pateman.

“But when they do play together they look like they could pose a few threats to the defensive line.

“Plus from a mindset point of view, Mitchell needs familiarity and consistency in his thought process.

“He needs someone to share that with like Watson.”

Buderus conceded Newcastle coach Nathan Brown was under pressure to deliver results this season.

Brown re-signed with the Knights last year on an unusual performance-based contract that is not linked to any timeframe.

Buderus knows Newcastle need results to keep the critics at bay.

“I think everyone (at the club) is under pressure,” he said.

Watson has shifted positions several times already. Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images.

“There are five coaches with one win.

“I think everyone had high expectations. I’m a big believer in team cohesion and it does take time.

“But the alarming thing is the form of the main playmaker in Mitchell Pearce. “That isn’t happening.

“I think once Mitchell can get his game to the level where he and the coach wants, then we’ll see the team start to take off.

“But improvement is what everyone is after.

“That is the biggest thing needed from anyone involved at the club and hopefully it can start with a win against the Gold Coast.”

Originally published as Danny Buderus urges Nathan Brown to keep Connor Watson at fve-eighth and save Newcastle