KEIRON Cunningham is looking for a positive response when his charges host Widnes this Friday.
The two rivals lock horns for the second time this season – with Saints recording a 30-20 win at the Select Security Stadium earlier in the year.
But they head into the game on the back of a reverse to leaders Leeds last week.
“It was a tough loss but I thought we played really well,” he said. “We made some errors at the wrong times particularly when we had impetus in the game. We were going forward and attacking Leeds’ line but dropped the ball. On the right hand side there was a potential try to intercept and that happened on the left too.
“If you eliminate those two tries and give us one then it is a different game altogether. If we play those plays a little smarter then we score.
“If you hide the scoreline and watch the game without the tries we had our fair share of dominance. I thought we deserved a little better but the result is what it is. I’m sure if we had our chance again we would do things differently but we have to look at this Friday now.
“I thought our attack was really good and we attacked great without Walshy in the first half. When he came on it opened up more avenues of attack. It was our attention to detail in some areas of our defence that let us down. That was uncharacteristic of the players.”
Keiron says Luke Walsh will start the game this week and there could be a return for Mark Percival.
But Matty Dawson is out for up to eight weeks after surgery on his ankle whilst Lance Hohaia is unlikely to play with an ongoing leg issue.
“The medical staff have done a great job with Walshy,” he added. “We have done the right things by him as we want him to stay back for the season.
“Injuries never come at the right time and you can’t account for what has happened at fullback. Jonny has gone for the year and then you lose Wello. You don’t have three fullbacks in your squad – that is the same for everyone – and we have lost two of our main ones.
“When you lose Tommy Makinson from the wing too… he is a winger that can play fullback and I have to be careful not to hurt his development.
“I thought Matty Fleming did superb on debut though. I’m happy because he is another outside back I can call on now.
“Mark Percival has a good chance of returning too. If it isn’t this week then it will be next. He is one of our best juniors and a real strike centre.”
Widnes come to St Helens this week on the back of a great win over Castleford – and historically games between the two rivals are high scoring.
“We know every point counts and apart from the Hull game I have been impressed with how we have played,” Keiron continued. “We went to Wigan with half a team and were super. We ground it out against Huddersfield and I thought we did well against Leeds.
“People will see that differently but if I think my players deserve to be criticised I will do it. Leeds did get some luck and I’m sure we will get some next time against them. At half time we had a chance – and the players thought that too – but defensively we weren’t at our best.
“I’m not having sleepless nights; I have a good squad here and we aren’t that far away. Widnes are coming to our place off the back of a great victory but if we do the right things and play well then we will be tough to beat.”
Tickets for Friday’s game are on sale from the Ticket Office at Langtree Park, by calling 01744 455 052 or online here.
