NATHAN Brown is hoping Saints can take confidence into this Friday’s derby with Wigan – but also find some more consistency too.
Speaking after three last minute finishes that leave his side top of Super League and in the next round of the Challenge Cup, he says it’s clear the players have displayed a lot of character.
“The manner in which we fought back against Castleford was good, but it was a game of two halves,” he said. “They were better than us in the first half and we were much better in the second. Thankfully, we are a team playing with a reasonable amount of confidence.
“We’ve had a couple of tight situations recently where we have needed to kick a field goal or score a try and the guys seem to be able to execute things really well.
“We have proved when we are under pressure we are able to do some good stuff. At the back end of the game we came up with some great tries at the end of the game under pressure. The fact we are doing that must give us confidence.”
Saints head into Friday’s match with a few injury concerns but with a deep squad ready to step up.
Willie Manu has a dislocated and broken thumb and will miss the next six to eight weeks whilst Anthony Laffranchi has arm issue that will keep him out for a month.
There are also a few other bumps and bruises.
“Friday’s game wasn’t kind to us but we’ll be fine,” Brown continued. “We’re looking forward to the match and it will be a great contest. Wigan are a terrific team and what they achieved last year was big considering how tough a double is to do in the modern game.
“There is a respect between the clubs, the intensity rises and it is a big clash for both communities. The friendly game showed that too.”
