SAINTS head to Catalans this Saturday looking to convert the positives from recent games into a strong performance.
A much-improved showing at Hull FC almost brought home the points but Keiron Cunningham was left ruing “anxiety” in attack despite a display full of spirit and fight.
“It was a lot closer to where we want to be and the effort was brilliant,” he said. “You make your own luck and if we had brought the same mentality to our previous games we could have sneaked them.
“The boys are stinging a little bit but we were very close.
“There was some anxiety in our attack and that is something we need to fix up. We looked anxious down their end of the field and tried to make things happen instead of letting them develop.
“But what was pleasing was the spirit and our fight. If you fight hard then generally you get good things off the back of it.
“I spoke to Lee Radford after the game and he said it was the most physical game they’d had this season. That is how we wanted to play and the lads but their body on the line. They fought hard for the victory but couldn’t get over the line.
“There were lots of good things in the game. Mark Percival was brilliant and having Zeb Taia on that edge, although he put some balls down, will be good for him. That edge will turn out to be pretty lethal with the combinations we can build over there. Percy has a lot around him now, as does Zeb, and when the tracks dry up it will be very interesting.
“Zeb will adapt; he is international standard and is learning the way we play. We also have to get used to playing with him too. But he understands rugby and will adapt quickly.”
Saints head to Catalans this weekend with both sides looking to get back on the horse after defeats.
KC continued: “We will travel to Catalans and be in and out in a day. In the past we have gone a couple of days before but that isn’t how players prepare for games – it can have that holiday feel. I didn’t like that when I was a player and this suits us better.
“Losing Greg Bird is a bit of a bonus for us but they have good players throughout. They had a real good shot against Leeds in the first half – in the second Leeds were white hot. Catalans pose a different threat from last year – they are well organised and put you in bad spots.
“We will go there and have a real good shot at it. I can tell with the way the players trained last week and how they played against Hull that they are ready to kick on. We have to play tough.
“Of course it would be good to get a win. If you don’t win games then you are under pressure.
“But if we continue to work hard, bring the little things we have been doing recently and get players back then we can only improve.”
Cunningham has said he is likely to opt for the same 19 that was named last week but that is dependent on how a couple of players pull through.
Alex Walmsley will be available after submitting an Early Guilty Plea following the charge laid against him after the Hull FC game.
Both Matty Smith and Jonny Lomax “aren’t far off” according to the head coach.
If you’re making the trip to Catalans you can buy your tickets from the Ticket Office at the Totally Wicked Stadium, by calling 01744 455 052 or online here.
Saints receive 25 per cent of every away ticket sold, so buying direct benefits your club.
