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SALFORD City Reds coach Shaun McRae is tipping his troops to return to winning ways at Whitehaven’s expense.
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'A dream response'
Dave Lawrenson24/ 4/2008
COACH Shaun McRae is convinced that his Salford City Reds side will bounce back from Sunday’s 38-8 defeat to Wakefield after being dazzled by the form and focus shown in training this week.
The players could be forgiven for being on a downer this week after their Challenge Cup hopes were ended in such comprehensive fashion.
But McRae reports that the players have been looking more determined than ever out on the training paddock. He says that Sunday’s under performers are determined to make amends for letting the side down and he is tipping his troops to return to winning ways in their National League One clash at home to Whitehaven tonight, Thursday, April 24, kick-off 7.30pm.
McRae said: "The players have been excellent in training this week. They have been working hard on putting right the areas in which we let ourselves down against Wakefield.
"I was pleased with the effort against Wakefield but we ended up losing by 30 points due to some defensive lapses caused by individual players being lazy and by the fact that we continually took poor options when in positions to score tries.
"Our kicking game was another area of concern. We have been tackling those things in training and I expect an improvement in those areas against Whitehaven.
"I’m sure I’ll get that. Several of our players realise that they weren’t at their best against Wakefield and they want to atone for that.
"The attitude of the players is really good. They picked themselves up very quickly after the Wakefield game and we go into the Whitehaven match looking to win our first game in three weeks and confident of doing so.
"But we will have to be on our game. Whitehaven struggled at the start of the season but they now have a new coach (in Ged Stokes) and in their last two games they have been excellent (in beating Celtic Crusaders 44-16 and Lezignan 46-6).
"I saw the Celtic game so I know all about them. They are very big and strong up front, they have a good kicking game and they look well drilled all over the park.
"They also have a lot of experienced players in their team and they have the advantage of having two more days to prepare for the game than we do."
Table-topping Salford picked up no fresh injuries this week so their only unavailable player for the clash with seventh-placed Whitehaven is hamstring hobbler John Wilshere.
McRae admits that he ‘may make a few changes’ from the side that lost to Wakefield. The White-haven game will be televised live on Sky Sports.
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