Speaking from the Bombers’ home base on Friday morning, McVeigh threw his support behind his coach as Essendon prepares for its crucial round 15 clash against Melbourne.
Earlier in the week, Knights was forced to defend his relationship with his players in the wake of continued speculation that he and his men were not on the same page.
But McVeigh said his club had fallen victim to the fact it was simply struggling for form, with the players needing to share in the blame.
“I think if you go over the years, we had that [criticism] with Sheeds at times as well, but it was never the case and now we’re getting it with Knighta,” McVeigh said.
“Essendon gets a lot of media attention. We’re pretty fortunate in that he [Knights] is very passionate about his players. I know for a fact that he supports us more than anything behind the scenes.
“When a club’s losing you’re obviously going to get pressure on coaching staff and players and Knighta’s copping a lot of it at the moment, which I think’s unfair because it’s a lot to do with the players as well.
“Whether it’s media, whether it’s people that have been involved with the club or whatever it is and are no longer here, you’ve just got to keep going and work together and we’ll just keep having a laugh and listening to it and try to do the right thing by him and our supporters.”
McVeigh enjoyed career-best years in 2007 and 2008 before injury significantly restricted his output last year. As a result, he acknowledges his role may now have changed from the midfield to a backline position.
But he said his coach had been with him every step of his journey.
“Knighta’s always backed me; he’s always been right there next to me to give me an opportunity,” McVeigh said.
“He’s never, ever said ‘Oh gee, you’re struggling’ ... I’ve been lucky to have a coach that’s been behind me in that regard and believes in what I can do.”
McVeigh said Essendon would be spurred this weekend on by the fact the Bombers’ 2000 side - having its 10-year premiership reunion - would be watching from the stands.
While a loss on Sunday might spell the end for Essendon’s finals aspirations, McVeigh said September was the furthest thing from his side’s mind. Instead, they were simply focused on putting in a far more consistent effort than the one they did against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium last weekend.
“I know everyone’s feeling very hurt about where we’re at on the ladder and what’s going on and in terms of losing games, but you can only do something about it on Sunday, can’t you?”
The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but backed the club’s philosophy to make signing its young guns its first priority.
“If the club sees fit that they’d like me to continue, well yeah, of course I’d talk to Essendon but they’re doing the right thing at the moment by signing all our players and that should be their priority,” he said.
“Significant challenges are coming up in terms of two more new teams; I certainly understand and fully respect what they’ve got to do first.”
