ST HELENS are at their toughest moment of the season but coach Paul Rowley insists he’s up for the fight.
A decimated first-team squad is hampering efforts to secure a play-off spot after a positive start to the season which saw Saints sit top of the table two months ago.
Despite an extensive injury list, the manner of last Sunday’s 46-0 home defeat to Toulouse Olympique came as a huge shock – and knocked them out of the top six.
They now have a big task on their hands to get back in, which starts with the visit of Super League’s other French club, Catalans Dragons, on Friday night.
“A team with 16 players and just short of £2 million missing off the cap (through injuries) is vulnerable,” said Rowley.
“We can avoid that subject as much as we want but it’s real. If you’re in the opposite camp, you’re coming for us.
“We’re trying to stay consistent while everything around us is inconsistent. The players will always work hard.
“It may not always come across that way, particularly in the effort last week, but the challenge is to fix that and put that right.
“The response is always consistent. We pick the bones out of it. We’re honest, and brutal where it needs to be.
“Whilst reviewing and being honest (about the Toulouse game) it was important to leave the room with a good enthusiasm and energy for what’s coming next.
“But it’s important that it’s not lip service – actions speak louder than words.
“We’ve got a lot of senior players out so leadership is looking a bit different, and we’ve got to find new leaders among the players playing at the minute.
“Daniel (Suluka-)Fifita has come over and proved a really strong leader. What he says is important and most importantly his actions have been consistent on and off field. He’s been a joy to coach, so he’s a new leader to the club.”
St Helens supporters made their displeasure known after the Toulouse defeat and Rowley said: “If you take the pats, you take the criticism as well.
“It’s a big club with a big history. Look at Manchester United, if they’re not winning trophies, people have a lot to say about it. It’s a reflection of the expectation and history of the club.
“That’s why I was excited to come to this club, because I want that expectation, and I want a supportive club who will put their resource into providing a good team.
“We’re working hard to move forward and get some success sooner rather than later.”
The coach, who was appointed last October to succeed Paul Wellens, acknowledges the long-term challenges of the job as well as the obvious short-term ones.
“I challenge any team to have (these injuries) and come up with results. To be where we are is a credit in most respects,” Rowley said.
“If we had a full team out I still don’t think we’d be playing totally how I’d like but that’s a journey and an evolution. I’d need a few transfer windows to put that right.”