O'Brien's three year term as coach doesn't officially kick-off until November 1 but he has already arrived in Newcastle to begin pre-season planning.

In his first interview since being appointed to replace Nathan Brown at the helm, the former Melbourne Storm and Roosters assistant coach told the Newcastle Herald he won't be making any bold predictions about next season. But at the same time, he said he won't be talking down his side's prospects either.

The Knights haven't made the finals in six seasons and have won three wooden spoons during that period. But O'Brien has confidence in the roster he has inherited and the beefed-up coaching staff he has put together in a bid to get the best out of them.

"We are not going to be walking around telling everyone we are going to win the competition," O'Brien said.

"But at the same time, we need to be approaching every training session like we are going all the way. I don't want mediocrity anywhere in the joint and certainly not in our language. That doesn't mean saying we are going to be world-beaters though either."

The rookie coach, who has spent well over a decade in the highly successful Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters systems working under Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson, says defence will be a priority, as will an expectation about everyone in the organisation working hard.

"I'm all about work ethic, I will be pushing the players hard no question," he said.

"They are going to be hard working because I know that's what's in them. I know that's what the fans and the region deserves and that's what the region wants. They want to stand on the hill and have a beer and be proud of their team at the end of the day. And the players want that too."

The Knights currently have four roster positions left to fill for next season following the impending departure of prop James Gavet to English club Huddersfield. But that could stretch to five if unwanted hooker Danny Levi also finds a new club.

O'Brien is giving little away about who will be targeted to fill the vacancies but admitted one of the positions will go to an outside back.

"We have lost Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Jesse [Ramien] and you play with five outside backs every week so we are certainly short in that area," he said.

"We have obviously seen the emergence of Bradman [Best] and Starford [To'a] who are both great young talents who I'm really excited about. But they are young guys and it's a long arduous season for young guys.

"So one of those spots will have an outside back focus but I'm not sure who it will be. We haven't got anyone targeted."

O'Brien also revealed he is not in the market for a five-eighth to partner skipper Mitchell Pearce in the halves despite Brown using five players in the contentious position last season with varying degrees of success.

"We have got a really good seven, nine and one and a lot of guys that can play some six," O'Brien said. "Connor Watson's a guy that can play there, Kurt Mann can certainly play there and I know Phoenix Crossland only played part of one game there but I look at him - there is a framework there on a body we need to work with.

"I've seen him and young Simi [Sasaga] in here training and Mason [Lino] - his shoulder won't keep him out for as long as first thought. I am more than comfortable that we have some guys that can play that six role in this organisation already.

"We've got to back ourselves to develop our kids that are here. We just can't keep going out into the marketplace and signing over the top of our juniors that are here."

Don't miss our full, extended interview with Adam O'Brien, only in Saturday's Newcastle Herald newspaper and online.

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