While the knives are out in some quarters, Middleby doesn't believe Sydney's season is tottering on the brink.

He has seen it all before and takes comfort in the fact that the club has always battled through sticky periods to book a finals berth.

Sunday's game at EnergyAustralia Stadium falls into the 'must win' category for both teams as they look to reignite their respective campaigns.

Middleby told au.fourfourtwo.com today: "I've spoken to family and friends up there (in Newcastle) and everyone's talking about how big a game this is.

"They're really keen to get a result and I think we could be in for a cracker."

Sydney head north in less than sparkling form but Middleby says training has been very positive and all the talks he has had with teammates this week suggests a group full of character and determined to prove a point.

He said: "There are knives out but this is a group of boys with character. They want to go out there and step it up. I'm sure that's the mindset. The quality is there.

"Who needs the result more this weekend? I think it's hard to say. No question that three points would be a big boost though.

"It's a very important game.

"Newcastle have also had some stick, just as we did in the year after we won the championship.

"But you have to be strong, work hard and in each of the seasons I've been here, we've had our ups and downs. There's been spells where the results haven't come but we've always come through at the end to make that top four.

"This is my last season here and I want to have that fairytale finish (the championship)."