The Bombers have slumped to 13th on the ladder with a 5-10 record following Sunday’s 19-point loss to Melbourne.
But despite being under the pump and with many Essendon fans calling for his head, Knights is convinced his young side is on the right path.
“It’s all moving forward nicely; all but the win-loss [record] at this point in time,” he said from Windy Hill on Tuesday.
“We’re going to stay aggressive on that vision and keep building this football club and building this team.
“It’s a joy to do it, it really is. I’m as confident now as I was, say 12 months ago, probably even more from what I’m seeing from our younger generation coming through.”
Knights said this week had been no different to any other despite ongoing speculation about his future.
The coach remains contracted until the end of 2012 but there have been persistent whispers that he might not see the end of his term unless the Bombers fly up, fast.
However he said he was relishing his side’s current challenge.
“I welcome the pressure and welcome the responsibility,” he said.
“As head coach of Essendon footy club, it’s a great honour. We’re on a strong vision and we’re going to keep guiding that course and sticking to that course ... that’s my purpose.
“We’re on a bumpy part of the journey at the moment but the reality is where it all ends up.
“We’ll look back at this time, I’ve got no doubt, in the future with fondness, because AFL is tough - it is hard.”
Knights said while criticism by Essendon fans didn’t bother him - he was more concerned about them supporting his players - he reminded doubters that some of his colleagues had struggled before tasting the ultimate success.
He made mention of premiership coaches Mark Thompson and Alastair Clarkson as men who had endured “tumultuous periods” before going on to greatness, while also noting his appointment had come around the same time as contemporaries Dean Bailey, Brett Ratten and Mark Harvey.
“They’re all tracking in different ways at the moment,” he said.
“All have had their ups and downs over the last two, two-and-a-half years. The real testament will be to see where all those four sides end up in a couple of years’ time, and who comes through.”
Knights admitted expectation had been high this year after a finals berth last season. He said his side wasn’t playing well at the moment but he didn’t shy away from that expectation.
That was why he was optimistic that by following the methods of Thompson and Clarkson and by nurturing a list he believes has plenty of talent, the club is on the right track.
“I’m extremely confident that the Essendon Football Club, the program, the players within the program are really ambitious and have got a lot of drive to really open up a period of sustained success, and to win a premiership,” he said.
This week the Bombers meet the West Coast Eagles at Etihad Stadium, and Knights’ quest to return to the winner’s list is likely to be boosted with some key inclusions.
Veteran Dustin Fletcher will return from suspension, while Scott Gumbleton and Jake Melksham are strong chances to also come into the side that lost to the Demons.
