They picked up their first win of the season at Blackpool on Saturday, but are still eight points away from safety.
Knill, who spent two years at Glanford Park in his playing days, said: "Everybody expects us to go down, but we expect to stay up.
"When you lose your first two games the pressure goes up. It was a great relief and a deserved win.
"The League will be pretty much like it was last season where anyone can beat anyone else on their day."
Their survival hopes have been hit by the loss of captain Colin Murdock, who faces another three weeks out of action following his hernia operation last week.
The Northern Ireland international has yet to feature in the first-team this season.
Physio Denis Circuit said: "Colin has had three separate injuries all in the same area, we treated one two weeks ago but he has had to have a hernia operation.
"Everything went well so we are hoping that it will solve at least 95 per cent of his problem."
Physio Denis Circuit said: "Colin has had three separate injuries all in the same area, we treated one two weeks ago but he has had to have a hernia operation.
"Everything went well so we are hoping that it will solve at least 95 per cent of his problem."