SAINTS face a tough trip to Catalans this Saturday in a game that is vital for their top four hopes.
A win at the Stade Gilbert Brutus would keep them in touch as the regular season enters its crunch point.
But as Keiron Cunningham explains, they will need to be more clinical if they have designs on the two points.
“I thought the effort and enthusiasm in a lot of areas were good against Warrington but we didn’t attack well,” he said. “You get limited opportunities to take advantage in big games. We were given lots of them but didn’t post points. That was one of the side-effects of not having Theo Fages and Jon Wilkin working together for long periods in the build up. We were missing a half which hurt us, but we will get better.
“We have trained with various combinations this week and we already look sharper. Warrington had five chances in the game and took them. We had a lot and didn’t take any. It looks like a convincing victory but people don’t see how hard the players are working. There are positives in our game at the moment, but we have to transfer them into a complete game. That will will turn us into a real good side.
“We have six games left before the split and the points are vital. There are clubs chasing us down and we’d like to get on some kinda run to chase those down in front of us too. There are lots of tough points along the way to take but we have to start building into something. The signs are good as a group, we are working hard for each other, but we just need to get a complete game together.
“I’d never lose confidence in this group. I believe in what we have here. You look around at the greatness that is still sprinkled around the place and the people involved. You can’t lose faith in these playerps.
“They are a good group and are working hard on and off the field but we need that complete package. When we do we will be a good side. There can never be a better week to change things than going to Catalans. The boys are looking forward to playing there.”
Ahead of the meeting with the Dragons, Saints will have to go through the concussion protocols for Jordan Turner after he left the field last Friday – whilst Cunningham expects the rest of his injured players to return in the next two to three weeks.
“In an incident like that it is always worse case scenario and we had to take a lot of precautions,” Keiron continued. “Fortunately he is ok so we will see how things go. Luke Walsh’s injury isn’t as bad as we first thought so he will be back well before the split in the league.
“Percy (Mark Percival) isn’t too far off as well so in two or three weeks we should have everyone back who we expected to return.
“Everyone is looking at signings at the moment. You have to hold your nerve a little bit and not panic buy especially in a salary capped sport. We have done that in the past and ended up with players for two or three years that haven’t worked out.
“We have to be smart about how we do our shopping as the next recruits are the ones that will take us to the promised land. There may be some finances available if the right person came up.”
With three losses on the bounce Cunningham knows there is pressure to get back on the winning trail as soon as possible.
“I can’t take the criticism personally,” he continued. “I’m sure if I could sit down and have a conversation with every fan they would be just as frustrated as me.
“I am a Liverpool fan and I’m sure I have called every Liverpool manager… we are all experts aren’t we? People have to understand that behind the scenes me, Eamonn and Mike Rush are working tirelessly hard to get things right at this club. I do believe I am the right man for the job, I know the club inside out and what I don’t know about rugby isn’t even worth knowing. It has been my life and is all I know.
“I know where we need to head and what we need to do. I am determined, hook or by crook it will happen.
“I knew this year there would be some tough decisions for us and they have come to fruition. It didn’t work out with Travis but if you had your time again, and he played like he did at Hull KR, then you would go and sign him. It didn’t work out and it’s not his fault, or anyone’s, now it has got to this point.
“A lot of things get said borne out of frustration. What people want is a resolution into where we are at. That is what we all want. We are working hard to get to that point. We aren’t generally far off that and I’m sure if things turn around, we start playing well and get a few recruits then those same people will pat me on the back.
“I am determined to turn everyone’s frown upside down and make things a lot better at this club.
“It will happen and I will make sure of that.”
