Castleford Tigers captain Michael Shenton believes all the pressure is on St Helens in tonight’s mouthwatering play-off encounter, insisting that if they turn up with the right gameplan, they will give themselves every chance of victory.
Shenton’s Tigers head to his former employers knowing that a win tonight will give them a week off next week which, after the excursions of their lengthy run to the Challenge Cup final last month, could be a real blessing. And Shenton is adamant that the Tigers can come full of confidence after the incredible season they have had so far, whilst stoking up the fire by insisting the pressure is on Nathan Brown’s men.
“We’re coming here with nothing to lose; the pressure isn’t really on us at all,” Shenton said. “All the pressure is on Saints a bit more than it is with us, so we’re going to come here and just play – and if we do that, we’re in with a chance.
“We know it’s a big ask, but we’re confident coming here. If we stick with what we believe – and what we’ve executed already this season – and give ourselves a chance then we’re going to be right in the game.”
Shenton admitted their performance in the South of France against Catalan last week did hurt them, but has reminded Tigers fans that the club should be hugely proud of their fourth-placed finish – insisting that there is still so much more to achieve in the coming weeks.
“We had a bit of sulking to do on Sunday to get over what happened against Catalan – and it did hurt us. But in the grand scheme of things, what we’ve achieved this season we should be really proud of what we’ve done so far.
“But it doesn’t end there. There’s so much more we can achieve this season if we get ourselves out of this little hole we’re in, and I think that just means stripping everything bare and starting again.”