WIGAN WARRIORS prop Lee Mossop insists he wasn’t happy with his form throughout most of his first year back at the club, although he says he’s confident 2016 can be the best year of his career to date.
Mossop made 29 appearances for the Warriors in 2015 after returning from the NRL following several years plagued with injuries.
But it wasn’t until the latter part of the year until he felt like his best again.
“I was a bit too inconsistent throughout; I would put a good game together and then drop off, and it was only towards the last few games where I started to get some form together,” Mossop told League Express.
“This year I’ve got so much motivation to get back to my best form.
“I’m hoping that this season will be the best of my career so far – that’s the aim.”
Mossop, who has battled injuries with both shoulders and undergone numerous surgeries already in his career, believes he’s now over those troubles and the possibility of a first full pre-season in years will stand him in great stead for this season.
“It’s the first full pre-season I’ve had in years so I’ve just ripped in and it’s been fantastic,” he said.
“Every year I seemed to have a bad injury, so to play so many games was a bonus, but there’s no point playing so many if you’re not playing well.
“Those problems are all behind me now; I might have put the surgeries off in the past but I’ve had them done, and they’re behind me.”
Mossop admits that injuries knocked his confidence during his early days back at the club, after such a disappointing end to his spell with Parramatta.
“I’ve had four shoulder reconstructions and it does knock your confidence – but I feel I’m getting towards being 100 per cent now.”
Mossop was an England international as recently as two years ago, and, at only 26 years of age, he feels he has years in front of him now.
“My best years are still to come,” he insists.
“The best years for props come in their late 20s or early 30s, and I’m a bit off that yet.
“It was only a couple of years ago I was playing against Australia in the World Cup; I was 24 back then but I’m confident I can get back there.
“I’ve got plenty of confidence from my form towards the back end of last year, and I can go into pre-season and the start of the season ready to rip in from the start.”
