KEIRON Cunningham bemoaned his side’s start as they went down at Salford last night.
“We had a horrible start to the game; it was a mentality thing and didn’t approach it with the right mindset,” he said. “The way we prepared them was right, the game plan was right too but it’s all about that start. Rugby league is about energy battles and if you do not win that then you dig yourself a bit of a hole.
“There’s no excuses and I don’t want to take the polish off Salford. They played the perfect game which is credit to them and their coaches. They did a superb job.
“We didn’t have a focus on next week’s game. We looked at last week’s game, did what we needed to and prepared for this one. But there was a complacency about the place before the game and I was worried about that. But once you’re across the line it is too late.”
He continued: “Morgan Knowles was a shining light though – I thought his stint in the middle was superb and Alex (Walmsley) is a leader for this club. It is disappointing that a lot more of that leadership group, the ones that talk before games, didn’t put their hands up and go with him.
“We will respond next week for sure. It’s disappointing as I thought we had some consistency in the place. We will respond next week and afterwards I’m sure but we need that consistency throughout the year. That is what we strive for as players and coaches.
“Nothing can be said though that will make me or the players feel any worse than we do now. They didn’t go out there on purpose to lose the game. Preparation is key for everything.
“We will respond.”
James Roby is unlikely to play next Friday as the medical staff want to make sure he is 100 per cent before he returns to the field.
Mark Percival will have a scan on a damaged knee early next week.
Saints will be seeking that response next week when they host Sydney Roosters in the World Club Series on Friday February 19.
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