He’s the big-name recruit suffering a crisis of confidence but Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin isn’t fussed by the form of Ben Barba.

The 2012 Dally M medallist will be desperate to bounce back against Newcastle in Friday night’s NRL clash following back-to-back shockers for the Broncos.

The knives have come out for the fullback following a crucial error late in the 12-8 loss to Gold Coast last weekend.

Leaving a high ball to bounce near the uprights, Barba was then stripped of possession by Titans five-eighth Aidan Sezer, who scored the match-winning try.

Following the game, a downcast Barba admitted he needed to lift but Griffin says the only thing he feels Barba is doing wrong is putting too much pressure on himself.

“He’s doing everything I want him to do,” Griffin said.

“Obviously he’s a bit of a hard marker on himself.

“He’s just a member of our side that’s got to do a job. That’s the main focus he’s got to have this week.”

The Broncos will travel to Hunter Stadium with no late changes despite Sam Thaiday leaving training early on Thursday morning due to a tight calf.

Youngster Jake Granville will join the squad as 18th man but Griffin said his presence is nothing more than a precaution.

The Knights have lost prop Kade Snowden to post-concussion symptoms.

Despite Snowden’s omission, Griffin was wary of a Knights team coming off the back of a convincing win in Canberra.

“(Kurt) Gidley, (Jarrod) Mullen and (Darius) Boyd at the back are all Origin players and they’ve got a really good outside backs as well with (Joseph) Leilua, (Dane) Gagai and (James) McManus,” he said.

“They’ve got heaps of strike and as I say they got within a game of playing in the grand final last year.

“They’re in pretty good form at the moment so it’s going to be a real good test for us.”

AAP