Parramatta centre Willie Tonga says the mood in the Eels’ camp has changed for the better ahead of their NRL clash with Newcastle at Hunter Stadium on Sunday.

The Eels overcame mounting pressure on their coaching and playing staff to record their first win of the season last Saturday over premiers Manly.

“The boys are a lot more upbeat and there’s a really positive vibe around the joint. It was good to get that first win,” Tonga said.

“It was nothing the boys had spoken about. The pressure was coming from outside and we were told not to even worry about that, not to read the papers or watch the news or anything like that.

“We just wanted to focus on what we could control and we came up with a good win on Saturday.”

Tonga said while the squad was elated with the effort against Manly, they know anything but their best against the Wayne Bennett-coached Knights will see the Eels come up short.

“The whole competition’s tough and we’re in for a tough game on Sunday.

“Across the park they are dangerous … They look to Darius Boyd, Timana Tahu a fair bit and Akuila Uate out wide … we’re going to have to be on our game.”