Catalans Dragons need to raise their game if they are going to compete at the top level of Super League, according to their coach Steve McNamara.
A 42-6 victory over Salford Red Devils in Perpignan on Saturday night couldn’t mask McNamara’s concern about “lapses in concentration”, which need addressing before they face Warrington Wolves this Saturday.
“Winning four games is a good start to the season for us but we need to freshen up and be a lot sharper against Warrington next week,” he told League Express.
“Our defence has not been as harsh and as clean as it needs to be and we’ll be working on that this week.”
The Dragons raced to a 20-0 half-time lead before a second-half hat-trick from winger Fouad Yaha sealed a one-sided win for the French club, but McNamara wants more from his players.
While delighted with Yaha’s triple-strike after the interval, McNamara insisted with a wry smile that there is still some work to do on his try-scoring skills.
“He’s got a strange technique for putting the ball down over the line and we need to have a look at that in training,” said the coach.
“But I’m very happy with Fouad, he is working really hard for the team and scoring tries for fun; he’s clearly enjoying what he is doing.
“He is getting great opportunities at the moment thanks to our halfbacks.”
The Dragons’ Challenge Cup victory over Wakefield Trinity last week was watched by almost a million viewers thanks to live TV coverage by the BBC and beIN.
This follows record viewing statistics for regular Super League rounds so far involving Catalans.
A club spokesman said: “We are delighted with the viewing figures, which are crucial for the profile of the club among its supporters and financial partners.
“At a time when we cannot have spectators at the grounds it is vital that we are seen on television and we have invested heavily in state-of-the-art LED equipment at Stade Gilbert Brutus, so our sponsors and advertisers can get their message across.
“Television coverage is vital to the club and it is fantastic news to see so many people tuning in to watch us.”
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