Head Coach Ian Watson was pleased to see his sides display against Castleford Tigers while also feeling frustrated that they didnβt come away from the Mend-A-Hose Jungle with a victory.
He gave his thoughts on a number of subjects in the post-match press conference.
On the performanceβ¦
There were a few little errors and defensive lapses and I think they gave Castleford the win. The one thing I have said to the boys is that we have to believe we are a good team and weβre showing it now against Castleford away from home and against St Helens at home which was a game we learnt a lot from. We are quite a young team but weβve got to believe that we can come to Castleford and win and I think we just didnβt start the game with that mentality as we put them on the front foot and they started playing like a top team does putting you under pressure and getting repeat sets which Paul McShane was central to. Once we got the game in the balance a little bit, we started to control that and got on the front foot and dictating field position as well. Itβs our own fault weβve lost the game.
On the difference between the sidesβ¦
Theyβve been a top team for the last few years. Weβre still quite a young team in many ways with our spine being quite young with Joey Lussick and Jackson Hastings in there. We just need to be a little bit more patient at times instead of chasing the game. Paul McShane did that really well, they started completing sets and earning repeat sets through goal line drop-outs. They persisted and sometimes you just have to deal with that and try and turn the tide, but I want to give massive credit to our players for competing. I do think that game will hit home with the lads to see theyβre a good side coming to Castleford and almost winning the game.
On the start to the seasonβ¦
Yeah, weβre happy with the start to the season but we want more β everybody always wants more. We all want to win every game we go into but Iβm hoping the games weβve played, and the performances and results can kick us on for the remainder of the season. We can show everyone what weβre about then and show that weβre a team that can be contenders. I think if we go about games the way we have in spells and piece that together weβll be a strong team and weβll trouble a few more this season.
On Adam Walkerβ¦
I thought he looked dangerously with ball in hand and defensively I thought there were a few times where he lounged in but thatβs fatigue and taking that into contact. Weβll see how it pans out when heβs got match fitness. He will get better, and heβll be a great addition for us.
On the resultβ¦
I think weβre really disappointed with the result because we know weβve let an opportunity slip through our own little errors and misreads. I think weβre good enough to compete with these teams now, but we just need to believe that we are good enough on a regular basis, but we need to show that next week against Wigan Warriors when they come to the AJ Bell Stadium. I think weβve had a tough month here with St Helens, then Catalans away and now Castleford away so we canβt wait to get back to the AJ Bell Stadium and show what weβve learnt from the last three games.
On Jake Bibbyβs performanceβ¦
Jake Bibby is a great kid and heβs had to wait for his opportunity to get into the team. Heβs got the shirt at the moment if Iβm honest as heβs doing fantastic in both attack and defence. We always knew defensively he was brilliant, and weβve worked on the attacking side of his game β heβs been working closely with Martin Gleeson and spending a lot of time with him. Heβs showing us what heβs learned over the last couple of years.
On a possible sin-bin offence by Alex Fosterβ¦
I thought so at the time but thatβs not the reason weβve lost the game. We need to be smarter in certain areas so I canβt use that as a reason as to why we werenβt victorious. It was definitely a good contest.
Tickets areΒ available for Salford Red Devils next home game againstΒ Wigan Warriors at 3pm on Sunday 22nd April. You can buy tickets from the AJ BellΒ Stadium Ticket Office, over the phone on 0161 786 1570 or by buyingΒ online HERE. YouΒ willΒ saveΒ moneyΒ buying in advance!
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