Doncaster Knights: Time for a change of fortune, says Griffiths

The Welshman would certainly love to be able to turn the clock back to last season when his charges were proving the surprise packet of the 2015-16 Championship campaign.

Whereas holding down fourth spot at the end of October would previously have been viewed as a successful start to the season, Griffiths admits that expectations are higher this term given the club's achievements last season.

Even at this early stage of the season some Doncaster supporters will probably have written off the club's prospects of finishing in the top two again taking into account the club's mixed start and the form of London Irish and Yorkshire Carnegie.

Knights fell further behind the top two at the weekend and also lost third place to Ealing.

“It hasn't surprised me how well Ealing are doing because we are in the same market and I know how much they've spent,” said Griffiths.

“It's no coincidence that the current top three are probably the three biggest spenders and we've got to punch above our weight, as we did last season, to beat the top sides.

“So far this season we've not quite done that and we've got to take the criticism on the chin.

“It's looking as though there are ten clubs, including ourselves, chasing third and fourth place.

“I don't want to make a big thing of it but we've lost several key players from last season and Michael Hills has yet to play.

“Others, as I said last week, aren't playing as well as last season.

“Obviously we would like to have more points on the board and had more wins but we are still in the top four.

“Even without our poor away form there is always pressure to win win at home and the Scottish game is massive.”