Head Coach Ian Watson was delighted with his sides 0-46 victory overΒ Catalans Dragons and discussed a range ofΒ pleasing aspects of the performance.
On theΒ performance…
We felt we did a lot of positive stuff last week against St Helens. We did things that maybe the supporters donβt notice but players see in those big game and we knew coming to Catalans weβd have to be at that level of performance or above it so we kept the game plan really simple this week because we knew how good Catalans were but coming here and nilling Catalans is above what we thought weβd achieve here.Β The defence won the game. The way we kicked them into pockets and then we were really resilient at the back end and that won us the game. The attack is the icing on the cake for us but itβs our defence we take pride in.
On surprising people with theΒ victory…
Every week we go in to play and I know the players and I believe weβll beat everyone we play. Itβs no surprise to me that weβve won. Weβve got a good group but theyβve just got to grow and mature together in learning how to win the bigger games and the mentality we had against St Helens we had today as well, but we were better against Catalans. It shows we can beat teams by doing things right, but weβre used to people knocking us β itβs nothing new.
On the forward battle…
Our pack had a meeting the day before the game and said that if we were to win this game our pack needed to step up here. Lee Mossop β despite the latter not playing β led the way in that meeting, Mark Flanagan came back in and Gil Dudson has been a leader since he arrived, those guys stood up and made it clear they wanted to set a standard for the pack, and everyone has seen what theyβre capable of. I thought Daniel Murray was outstanding and Ben Nakubuwai too. Adam Lawton must have come on and had to defend six goal line sets and thatβs the tough part of the game and his attitude was not to be beaten there and that was the pleasing thing.
On Jake Bibby…
He was absolutely outstanding today. Heβs been waiting for his chance and weβve always had Junior Saβu in there who always does a good job and is a leader for us. Bibby has had to be patient this season, but heβs took his chance today and put a bit of pressure in the centre positions. Weβve been waiting for Bibby to play because we sensed in pre-season, he was ready this year to step up and heβs shown a real good account of himself there.
On the halves…
I think Jackson Hastings and Rob Lui were very mature today. From the sideline you can hear them talking and Robbie was very mature in how he managed the game and he was talking to Jackson all the time, so he was helping him because we have to remember Jackson is only young and Robbie is the experienced half and heβs played outside Jonathan Thurston so he knows how to pass his maturity onto Jackson.
On preparing for Castleford…
We knew we were coming into a tough run of games but weβre confident as a group that we can perform, and weβll be keeping our game plan really simple, so everybody knows their role. The lads deserve a lot of credit for this performance and should take the plaudits, but weβll be back to work next week for Castleford.
On the attitude…
The pleasing stuff was when we defended a number of back-to-back sets and then went down the other end and the support play was still there. We did make an error, but our defensive line got straight back in position and that just shows your team is hungry and ready to work hard for each other.
OnΒ the travelling support…
Weβve spoken about the away fans all year and I think theyβve been outstanding at every game. You canβt knock them they were unbelievable singing the roof off the place. I know they love a good trip to Catalans, but this will be better for the result and they hope they enjoy their night.
Tickets for Salford Red Devils next fixture against Castleford Tigers at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle on Sunday 17thΒ March are now available from the Club Ticket Office and over theΒ phone on 0161 786 1570. For ticket and coachΒ details,Β click HERE.
Salford Red Devils next home fixture sees them welcome WiganΒ Warriors to the The Salford Stadium on Sunday 24th March and you can purchase tickets from the Club Ticket Office, overΒ the phone on 0161 786 1570 orΒ online HERE. For ticket prices, click HERE.