Salford Red Devils coach Ian Watson has insisted his side are refreshed and raring to go in their bid to stage a late charge for the top eight – but has prioritised his troops giving a better account of themselves against Castleford than they did in the last meeting of the two sides.
Speaking exclusively to TotalRL, Watson said that the Challenge Cup exit at the hands of the Tigers is one thing that his side have spoken about this week, detailing how they didn’t give a proper account of themselves.
But Watson has stressed that after a break for the cup last weekend, the Red Devils are raring to go and are determined to put things right on Friday in front of the TV cameras.
“We’re feeling good, it’s been a good two weeks for us,” he said.
“It’s been a tough first week followed by a week closely looking at the details of Castleford, but the guys are freshened up and ready for it.
“We 100 per cent need to give a better account of ourselves than what we turned up with in the Challenge Cup. We didn’t play how we could yet in the league, we played how we could and got ourselves a win.”
Watson has praised their Red Devils for their commitment and work-rate throughout 2016, but admitted a number of narrow defeats has been frustrating as his side look to fight their way into the top eight.
“We’re in every game and we’re giving ourselves a chance, but we’ve got to make sure we fine-tune things like our defence – but the boys never fall short in terms of commitment, that aspect is great.
“The positive thing is that the boys are committed and they give themselves a chance to win every game they’re in. Salford teams have been hammered a lot in the past, but things have changed around here. We’re a young team but we need to learn.”
Watson also confirmed that new signing Sean Kenny will debut from the bench after signing from Warrington.
“He gives us a threat from the subs bench,” Watson said. “We’ve not had that threat since when Tommy Lee and Logan Tomkins were both out there – having a natural hooker coming from there gives us a bit of threat you want throughout the game.
“Phil Joseph has done a great job dropping in there and Niall Evalds did it well too, but it’s better when you get a natural hooker in.”
