WHITEHAVEN are in for more punishing results if they don’t improve quickly, coach Anthony Murray has warned.
While they suffered defeats to Sheffield by seven and twelve points in league and Challenge Cup respectively to start the season, a 54-6 home defeat by Newcastle provided a reality check for Murray’s men.
In the table only Salford are below Haven, who finished eighth of ten clubs in League One last year ahead of their derby with Barrow this Sunday at the Ortus REC.
“I told the players before the (Newcastle) game that if we are not on point in certain areas this year, we will get beaten and by a big margin, because the competition has gone through the roof,” said Murray.
“I knew if we weren’t on point it would be a big score, and it’ll be the same against Barrow if we don’t fix some areas up.
“Barrow possess some fantastic players who can attack from anywhere and we need to be on point, it’s as simple as that.”
However, hard labour isn’t his choice of medicine over a two-week break created by Whitehaven’s Challenge Cup exit.
Murray explained: “We’ve got a lot of lads with head knocks and a lot of lads suffering bruises and aches and pains.
“We started pre-season early, the season started early, the pitches have been heavy and we’ve had three really tough contests.
“So it’s about looking after player welfare, doing a bit of rehab, dusting ourselves off and then preparing for Barrow.”