ROYCE Simmons says he is trying to keep preparations as low key as possible as Saints build up for the Grand Final.
His side will take on Leeds Rhinos in the showpiece for the right to be crowned 2011 Engage Super League Champions.
Mindful of the hard work that has got them to Old Trafford, Simmons is keen that this week is as “normal” as it can be.
“It is exciting to be at the Grand Final and Old Trafford,” he said. “I played there myself in 1986… in fact in the same year couple of our boys were born! It was a tremendous atmosphere and they’ve added another 20,000 seats since then. This is a big final, we know that. You have to play everyone twice and consistently keep winning to have a shot at it.
“Everyone is looking forward to the week and the game, but we are trying to keep it as simple as we can. In the past we have generally come down and stayed over… this time we will stay at home, in our own beds and keep things normal.”
He continued: “Like any big game it will come down to field position. If you keep the ball up their end and attack their line more times than they do to you.. then you will end up winning.
“It is a simple as that really. It’s down to ball control.
“The last four finals haven’t worked out, but the last four times we played Wigan we hadn’t won either and we’ve beaten them twice. What happened last year has got no bearing on this year.”
Simmons says he is unlikely to make any changes in the starting 13 but there could be a change on the bench depending on how training progresses this week.
The 19-man squad is unlikely to change though from the one named in the run up to the Qualifying Semi Final.
