Head Coach Ian Watson was pleased to see his sides display against Castleford Tigers while also feeling frustrated that they didnโt 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 performanceโฆ
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 weโre 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 weโve got to believe that we can come to Castleford and win and I think we just didnโt 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. Itโs our own fault weโve lost the game.
On the difference between the sidesโฆ
Theyโve been a top team for the last few years. Weโre 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 theyโre a good side coming to Castleford and almost winning the game.
On the start to the seasonโฆ
Yeah, weโre happy with the start to the season but we want more โ everybody always wants more. We all want to win every game we go into but Iโm hoping the games weโve played, and the performances and results can kick us on for the remainder of the season. We can show everyone what weโre about then and show that weโre a team that can be contenders. I think if we go about games the way we have in spells and piece that together weโll be a strong team and weโll trouble a few more this season.
On Adam Walkerโฆ
I thought he looked dangerously with ball in hand and defensively I thought there were a few times where he lounged in but thatโs fatigue and taking that into contact. Weโll see how it pans out when heโs got match fitness. He will get better, and heโll be a great addition for us.
On the resultโฆ
I think weโre really disappointed with the result because we know weโve let an opportunity slip through our own little errors and misreads. I think weโre 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 weโve had a tough month here with St Helens, then Catalans away and now Castleford away so we canโt wait to get back to the AJ Bell Stadium and show what weโve learnt from the last three games.
On Jake Bibbyโs performanceโฆ
Jake Bibby is a great kid and heโs had to wait for his opportunity to get into the team. Heโs got the shirt at the moment if Iโm honest as heโs doing fantastic in both attack and defence. We always knew defensively he was brilliant, and weโve worked on the attacking side of his game โ heโs been working closely with Martin Gleeson and spending a lot of time with him. Heโs showing us what heโs learned over the last couple of years.
On a possible sin-bin offence by Alex Fosterโฆ
I thought so at the time but thatโs not the reason weโve lost the game. We need to be smarter in certain areas so I canโt use that as a reason as to why we werenโt victorious. It was definitely a good contest.
Tickets areย available for Salford Red Devils next home game againstย Wigan Warriors at 3pm on Sunday 22nd April. You can buy tickets from the AJ Bellย Stadium Ticket Office, over the phone on 0161 786 1570 or by buyingย online HERE. Youย willย saveย moneyย buying in advance!
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